According to information published by the Spanish website that specializes in defense industry news, Info Defensa, on November 17, 2021, Spain intends to sell a second amphibious attack ship Navantia LHD to Turkey.
In fact, this agreement, according to the Spanish El Pais, will be discussed at the bilateral meeting that the two countries’ delegations will have in Turkey in the coming days.
Spain had supplied Turkey with its first “mini” aircraft carrier, the TCG Anadolu.
The TCG Anadolu is an amphibious attack ship that can be configured as a light aircraft carrier. The final contract for the construction of the ship was signed with the Navantia-Sedef consortium on May 7, 2015. The delivery of the ship was scheduled for 2021 and the estimated cost of the ship according to the final specifications was $ 1 billion in 2015. The construction work started on April 30, 2016 at the yard of Sedef Shipbuilding Inc. to Constantinople.
Characteristics
The dimensions of the final design are 231 meters in length, beam 32 meters, draft 6.8 meters and 58 meters in height. Its displacement will be 24,660 tons if configured as a “light aircraft carrier” or 27,079 tons if configured as an “LHD”.
Its maximum speed will be 21.5 knots as a “light aircraft carrier” or 29 knots as “LHD”, while its maximum range will be 9,000 nautical miles.
The crew consists of 261 people: 30 officers, 49 non-commissioned officers, 59 top sailors and 123 sailors.
The obstacle with the F-35
The United States in 2019 canceled the F-35 agreement with Turkey and terminated the participation of many billions of dollars of the Turkish defense industry in the stealth aircraft program. The Turkish army finally got the S-400s, but at a huge cost. But the blow to Turkey after its withdrawal from the F-35 program has no end.
The Turkish fleet was to develop the TCG Anadolu to be equipped with the F-35. Now the Turkish Navy has an aircraft carrier without planes. Anadolu is in the final stages of construction and could join the fleet in 2022. Anadolu can in any case act as a landing craft. However, the ability of the warship to operate as a light aircraft carrier in the absence of the F-35 is now in doubt.
To be clear, the Anadolu can in any case act as a landing craft. However, the ability of the warship to operate as a light aircraft carrier in the absence of the F-35 is now in doubt.
The despair of the Turkish government is obvious. There has been a lot of unrest in recent weeks as Ankara struggles to find an alternative to the F-35.
The Anadolu could be equipped with Turkish-made TB-2/3 unmanned aerial vehicles, making it the first parent warship with drones. This scenario is more realistic, however, than that described by Ismail Demir, head of the Turkish Defense Industry Sub-Directorate (SSM), who insisted that Anadolu could be equipped with a naval version of the SSM-developed Hürjet training aircraft. for the Turkish Air Force. However, even with modifications, the Hürjet will certainly not be able to be a capable Navy fighter jet.
This means that Anadolu is likely to be built without fixed-wing aircraft. It is a reminder of the billions of dollars in cost of continuing to oust Ankara from the F-35 program.
Petros Kranias
.
Source From: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
