Will Turkey have an aircraft carrier with F-35B on board?
Within two years, the Turkish Navy will receive TCG Anadolu - the largest warship in the Turkish fleet. But the future of Anadolu will largely determine the nature of the relationship between Ankara and Washington.
Juan Carlos I type ships
"Anadolu" is the fourth ship built on the model and likeness of the landing ship-aircraft carrier "Juan Carlos", which was commissioned by the Spanish Navy in 2010 year. Australian ships of the same project Canberra and Adelaide appeared in the Australian fleet in the 2014 and 2015 years. The Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia won a construction contract in cooperation with the Turkish company Sedef Shipbuilding Inc. The Spaniards designed the future "Anadolu" and carried out all the necessary design checks, and their Turkish colleagues agreed and organized the construction in Turkey. The ship will be ready for testing in the 2022 year.
Anadolu will have a displacement of 28000 tons at full load, length - 230 meters, speed 21 node (39 km / h). Initially, the Anadolu was conceived as a landing ship, but later it was decided to equip it with an aircraft carrier platform compatible with the F-35B fighter jets. Spanish Juan Carlos is integrated with AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, the design of which will soon celebrate its fortieth anniversary. If Spain buys the F-35B, the Juan Carlos will be upgraded for new fighters. Two Australian ships are intended only for amphibious operations, although soon Australia may also modify them under the F-35B.
According to preliminary information, "Anadolu" can be used in two versions - as an amphibious-cargo-aircraft carrier (emphasis on the wing) and to a greater extent it is a landing ship. In the first case, the ship can accommodate up to twelve F-35B. Anyway, until now, no one knows for sure whether Turkey will get fighters.
Why are Turkish F-35B at risk?
It is unlikely that Turkey will want to buy outdated Harriers from Spain, so the role of Anadolu depends directly on F35-B. The interest of the Turkish Navy in these fighters is due, among other things, to the fact that the Turks would like to use the Anadolu as a landing-cargo ship. In addition, Turkey is participating in a project to create F-35 type fighters.
The main problem for Turkey is the aggravation of relations between Washington and Ankara. First, no one wants to forget about trying to overthrow the regime of Turkish President Recep Erdogan in 2016, and about the difference in views on the Syrian conflict. Secondly, Turkey is showing its interest in purchasing Russian C-400 air defense systems, which goes against the US sanctions regime against Russia.
Third, the United States is not completely sure whether they want to allow Turkey to increase its expeditionary capabilities so much. Rumors have repeatedly arisen that Lockheed Martin and the United States Air Force discussed the exclusion of Turkey from the F-35 project.
Future missions “Anadolu”
Anadolu will significantly expand the capabilities of Turkey in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Despite the thaw between Russia and Turkey, the Anadolu will become one of the main NATO ships in the Black Sea, even if there are no fighters on it. If Ankara continues to spoil relations with the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, then Anadolu could become a serious threat to the security of Greece.
In any case, Anadolu will allow Turkey to take an active part in rescue and humanitarian operations in the region.
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