Largest, heaviest helicopters, drones can land on, take off from warship, says President Erdogan

TCG Anadolu, Türkiye’s largest warship and the world’s first unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) carrier, was delivered to the country’s navy on Monday. Built in Istanbul-based shipyard Sedef, the ship can carry helicopters, drones, land vehicles, light warcraft, and personnel. Speaking at the delivery ceremony in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said TCG Anadolu, where the largest and heaviest helicopters and drones can land on and take off, is the world’s first warship in its field. Turkish UCAVs Bayraktar TB3 and Kizilelma drones and light attack aircraft Hurjet can land on and take off from the ship, he added. Türkiye will be able to conduct military and humanitarian operations all around the world thanks to the ship, which can also carry armored vehicles, the president said. The ship’s weapon, combat management, electronic warfare, infrared search and track, electrooptical search, laser warning, torpedo defense systems, and radars were developed indigenously, he said. As many as 131 sub-contractors joined the ship’s building process, Erdogan said, adding that it can carry a battalion to any crisis region in the Aegean, Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It also includes a full-fledged hospital facility and two operating rooms, the president said and added that Türkiye will become a game changer country by developing cutting edge systems and products. Erdogan said there was also steel cutting ceremony for three new MILGEM warships on Monday, which will be built within 36 months. Weapon systems and sensors will be produced indigenously for the ships, he shared. Powerful diplomacy is only possible due to strong defense industry, he said, adding Türkiye will commence more projects in the defense industry.