The Turkish–Spanish Armada in Germany
TCG Anadolu (L 400)
TCG Anadolu / Photos: Michał Szafran, MILMAG
TCG Anadolu is the largest and most advanced vessel in the Turkish Navy (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri). The design was developed on the basis of the proven Navantia Athlas 26000 project, which had previously served as the template for the Spanish amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I as well as the Australian vessels HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.
Construction of TCG Anadolu began in 2018, and the ship was commissioned in 2023. All work was carried out in Turkish shipyards, with most of the armament and equipment supplied by domestic defense industry companies. Since the mid-1990s, Turkey has consistently invested in achieving the highest possible level of defense self-sufficiency. Anadolu stands as a clear example of that strategic independence.
A Ski-Jump Launch Ramp for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
TCG Anadolu is 232 meters long and can reach a maximum speed of 21 knots. The crew consists of 371 officers and sailors, with capacity to embark up to 900 marines, as well as hospital personnel and crews assigned to helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The ship can carry in its well deck and vehicle storage area:
- 4 LCM-1E landing craft, or alternatively 2 LCAC hovercraft;
- 8 LCVP landing craft;
- 27 ZAHA tracked amphibious armored vehicles.
Beneath the flight deck, there is a hangar capable of accommodating up to 12 Sikorsky S-70 (T-70/S-70B) helicopters or up to 8 Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The flight deck itself can host 6 helicopters, with space for an additional 13 aircraft on the vehicle deck. Due to political tensions with the United States, Turkey was unable to procure the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Instead, the ship has been adapted to operate Turkish-produced unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Bayraktar TB3 and, in the future, the jet-powered Bayraktar Kızılelma. The ship can also operate Bell AH-1W Super Cobra and T129 ATAK attack helicopters. In addition, the vessel is capable of transporting 28 main battle tanks and dozens of other wheeled or tracked vehicles.
The ship’s armament is purely defensive and consists of:
- two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mk 15 Phalanx Block 1 close-in weapon systems;
- five 25 mm Aselsan STOP remote-controlled weapon systems;
- five 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP stabilized weapon platforms;
- the Izir torpedo countermeasure system.
TCG Anadolu is also equipped with numerous sensors, including the SMART-S Mk2 radar, the Aselsan ARES electronic warfare system, and the Havelsan GENESIS ADVENT combat management system.
The Stern Gate Closing Access to the Floodable Well Deck
TCG İstanbul
TCG İstanbul (F-515) is the lead ship of the İstanbul-class (also known as the Istif-class) frigates. It represents another key component of Turkey’s ambitious MILGEM (Milli Gemi – “National Ship”) program, aimed at independently designing and building warships for the Turkish Navy. İstanbul is a frigate developed on the basis of the earlier Ada-class corvette design. Construction began in 2017, and the ship was commissioned in 2024.
TCG İstanbul
TCG İstanbul (F-515) is 113.2 meters long and can reach a maximum speed of 29 knots. The crew consists of 123 officers and sailors.
Its armament includes:
- a single OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun (optionally the MKE 76 mm/62);
- one twin-barrel 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system;
- two 25 mm Aselsan STOP remote-controlled weapon stations;
- a MIDLAS VLS vertical launch system with 16 HISAR-D surface-to-air missiles;
- 16 Atmaca anti-ship missiles;
- two twin 324 mm torpedo launchers;
- 7.62 mm MG3 machine guns.
Additional equipment includes a single Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
The ship is equipped with the SMART-L long-range surveillance radar and the APAR radar system, whose primary role is the detection of airborne and surface targets during NATO naval task group escort operations.
The primary gun is the OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid. Starting with the second ship of the class, the Turkish-made MKE 76 mm/62 is to be installed on the bow instead.
TCG İstanbul (F-515) is equipped with numerous sensors, including the Aselsan CENK-S three-dimensional radar, the Aselsan ARES electronic warfare system, and the Havelsan GENESIS ADVENT combat management system.
Work is currently underway on five additional İstanbul-class frigates, and there are plans to procure two more ships to replace the older Yavuz-class frigate vessels.
The twin-barrel 35 mm Aselsan GÖKDENİZ naval gun system
TCG Derya
TCG Derya is a logistics support vessel whose construction began in 2018 and which entered service in early 2024.
TCG Derya
The objective was to create a versatile vessel capable of:
- transporting aviation fuel, marine fuel, or fresh water;
- supplying other ships using the RAS (Replenishment At Sea) system;
- operating as a command ship for a naval task group or amphibious force;
- conducting maritime operations using unmanned systems.
TCG Derya is 194.8 meters long and can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots. The crew consists of 326 officers and sailors.
Its armament includes:
- two twin-barrel 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ systems;
- two 25 mm Aselsan STOP remote-controlled weapon stations.
In addition, the hangar can accommodate two helicopters, enabling the ship to resupply other vessels by air.
On the stern of TCG Derya, a twin-barrel 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ gun system has been installed, along with two 25 mm Aselsan STOP remote-controlled weapon stations
