As part of Steadfast Dart 2026, the Turkish Navy’s flagship amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu docked at the Port of Rotterdam and hosted a high-profile Turkish Defense Industry Exhibition. The 232-meter-long vessel, positioned at Wilhelminakade in the Kop van Zuid district on February 26, became a focal point of international attention within the framework of NATO activities.

The exhibition welcomed Anadolu Turkish Naval Task Group Commander Rear Admiral Mevlüt Savaş Bilican, Türkiye’s Ambassador to The Hague Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Naval Attaché Commander Umut Gökaslan, and Royal Netherlands Navy Commander Vice Admiral Harold Liebregs, along with numerous ambassadors, military attachés, and NGO representatives. Guests received detailed briefings on domestically produced military vehicles, naval systems, and unmanned platforms developed by Türkiye’s defense industry.

Speaking at the reception following the exhibition, Rear Admiral Bilican emphasized that more than 80 percent of the Turkish Navy’s systems and unmanned aerial vehicles are produced through domestic capabilities. He underlined that this achievement reflects strategic planning, technological investment, and determined national policy. Bilican stated that Türkiye has evolved into a key technological partner not only within NATO but also on a global scale.

Ambassador Yazgan highlighted the historic nature of the visit, noting that it marked the first time in nearly 30 years that a Turkish naval vessel docked in the Netherlands. In a period of geopolitical uncertainty, she stressed the growing importance of solidarity, strong defense cooperation, and reduced dependency. While acknowledging the presence of certain Dutch technologies onboard, she proudly affirmed that the ships and frigates are largely products of Türkiye’s national defense industry.

The exercise is coordinated by NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum in the Netherlands and hosted by Germany. Alongside TCG Anadolu, TCG Derya, TCG İstanbul, and TCG Oruçreis are participating, with more than 10,000 military personnel from 11 countries involved. The event has provided Türkiye with a strategic platform to demonstrate its advanced naval capabilities and indigenous defense technologies to the international community.