Turkey's 'national flagship' set to sail in 2021

Turkey's first locally-made flagship, recently named "TCG Anadolu," is set to sail in 2021, Turkish daily Milliyet has reported. 

TCG Anadolu, which is currently being constructed at Sedef Shipbuilding in Istanbul, will become the "mother ship" of Turkey's navy as its largest and most well-equipped warship. 

Speaking to Milliyet, Sedef Shipbuilding board member Orkun Kalkavan expressed pride over taking responsibility in a large-scale military endeavor. 

"We are proud to demonstrate the power of our country's defense industry with a well-equipped ship capable of cross-continental operations," Kalkavan said. 

Built by the Turkish Naval Force and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, TCG Anadolu is designed to be 225 meters long and 32 meters wide. It will weigh a total of 28,000 tons when fully loaded. 

The "multi-purpose amphibious ship" will be able to carry eight combat helicopters, an amphibian battalion of 700 officers, and a total of 1,400 passengers. 

Its redesigned runway will be suitable for the landing of F35B Lightning II fifth-generation combat aircrafts.
 
Reports indicate the flagship's weapons systems will also be produced locally in a joint effort by Turkish defense producers Havelsan and ASELSAN.

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