Anadolu showcases Turkiye's indigenous endeavours, but will its drone carrier concept take off?
Anadolu pictured with drones and helicopters on its flight deck for its commissioning (Photo: Turkish Ministry of National Defence)
Having signed a contract for the ship in 2015, Anadolu was initially destined to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet.
After Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system led to its ejection from the multi-national fighter programme, Turkiye was forced to revise its plans, leading the ship to become a fully-fledged drone carrier to fly the Baykar Bayraktar TB-3 and Kizilelma drones.
As the most prominent single product of the Turkish defence industry and its largest locally built ship, Anadolu serves as a potent symbol of Ankara's domestic defence capabilities and its ambition to become a more powerful player on
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.