Turkey reveals new drone carrier ‘assault ship’ in a move to bolster naval power

On Monday, Turkey revealed a new amphibious assault ship designed to accommodate light aircraft and military drones.

The TCG Anadolu, measuring an impressive 231 meters (758 feet) in length and 32 meters (105 feet) in width, is designed to house combat helicopters, military drones, and a variety of vehicles, with capacity for up to 94 in total, including 13 tanks.

During his campaign for re-election in May, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkish Bayraktar TB3 and Kizilelma drones, along with the light Hurjet fighters, will have the capability to perform take-offs and landings from the ship.

Erdogan said that the new vessel would allow Turkey to “carry out military and humanitarian operations in the four corners of the world if necessary”.

NATO member Turkey has significantly developed its defence industry in recent years, with Ankara in particular vaunting the success of its combat drones.

Drones developed by the Baykar company – co-run by one of Erdogan’s sons-in-law – have been used in Azerbaijan, Libya and Ukraine. Kyiv used them in the first hours of Russia’s invasion last year.

Turkey has repeatedly tried to act as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.

China last year unveiled its first military drone carrier, reflecting the growing importance of pilotless aircraft in modern warfare.