The project was initiated to strengthen Türkiye’s expeditionary and amphibious warfare capabilities. Following a competitive procurement process led by the Presidency of Defence Industries, Sedef Shipyard was selected as the prime contractor. The platform evolved from a Landing Platform Dock (LPD) concept into a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), incorporating a ski-jump ramp to support short takeoff aircraft operations.

Operational Role and Mission Profile

TCG Anadolu is designed to execute:

• Amphibious assault operations
• Force projection from sea to shore
• Joint air-land-sea coordinated operations
• Command and control missions
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
• Non-combatant evacuation operations

This capability allows the Turkish Naval Forces to deploy a battalion-sized landing force with armored support, aviation assets, and logistical sustainability far beyond national waters.

Doctrine and Concept of Operations

The operational concept integrates naval maneuver, air mobility, and mechanized amphibious deployment:

• Maritime approach and area security
• ISR and fire support via UAVs and helicopters
• Amphibious landing through well deck craft
• Rapid deployment of armored and mechanized units
• Command and sustainment from an afloat headquarters

The ship acts as a joint task force command platform within a network-centric warfare architecture.

Platform Architecture

• Full-length flight deck with 12-degree ski-jump
• Enclosed hangar deck for rotary and fixed-wing UAVs
• 70-meter well deck for landing craft
• Vehicle deck for heavy armor and logistics vehicles
• Integrated combat management system
• Advanced communications suite

Survivability and Protection

The ship incorporates:

• Close-in weapon systems
• Electronic warfare and countermeasure systems
• NBC protection
• Compartmentalized hull design

Long-range missile defense systems are not publicly confirmed; integration infrastructure exists.

Advantages Against Modern Threats

• Flexible UAV-based air wing concept
• Multi-domain operational capability
• High troop and vehicle transport capacity
• Strategic mobility

However, due to its high-value status and size, it requires escort by frigates, destroyers, and air defense assets in high-threat environments.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Displacement

• Length: 230 meters
• Beam: 30 meters
• Flight deck length: approx. 240 meters
• Displacement: approximately 27,000 tons (open-source data)

Propulsion and Performance

• Maximum speed: 21 knots
• Propulsion system: CODAD (diesel-based configuration)
• Range: approximately 9,000 nautical miles at economical speed

Personnel and Capacity

• Total capacity: approx. 1,400+ personnel
• Amphibious force: Battalion-level strength
• Main battle tanks: up to 46 Leopard-class tanks
• Light vehicles: 70+
• Landing craft: 4 LCM
• RHIB boats: 4–6

Well Deck

• Length: 70 meters
• Width: 17 meters
• Supports mechanized amphibious vehicles and landing craft

Air Wing

Originally designed for F-35B STOVL aircraft. Current operational concept includes:

• Bayraktar TB3 naval UAV
• Carrier-adapted unmanned combat aerial vehicles
• CH-47 Chinook
• S-70B Seahawk
• Naval helicopter variants

Air wing capacity varies between 20–30 aircraft depending on configuration.

Armament

• 4 × 20 mm close-in naval guns
• 4 × 12.7 mm heavy machine guns
• Infrastructure for additional air defense systems

Command and Control

• GENESIS-based Combat Management System
• Link-11 / Link-16 tactical data links
• Network-centric warfare capability

Electronic Warfare

• Specific ESM/ECM system details are not fully public. The vessel is equipped with modern electronic support and countermeasure systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TCG Anadolu an aircraft carrier?

• Officially, it is classified as an LHD. However, due to its ski-jump ramp and flight deck configuration, it can function similarly to a light aircraft carrier.

What is its operational range?

• Approximately 9,000 nautical miles at cruising speed.

How many tanks can it carry?

• Up to 46 main battle tanks along with over 70 light vehicles.

How many aircraft can it operate simultaneously?

• Depending on configuration, between 20 and 30 aircraft including UAVs and helicopters.

Does it have missile defense systems?

• It has close-in defense systems. Long-range missile defense integration details are not publicly disclosed.

What are its equivalents globally?

Comparable platforms include:

• Juan Carlos I (Spain)
• Trieste (Italy)
• Mistral-class (France)

TCG Anadolu differentiates itself with its UAV-centric operational doctrine.

Sources

• Official statements from Sedef Shipyard
• Presidency of Defence Industries publications
• Turkish Naval Forces press releases
• Navantia Juan Carlos I technical documentation
• Open-source defense analysis publications