Turks conduct landing exercises on a Greek island

The Turks are rehearsing an invasion of the Greek island, dispelling the illusions of some Greek politicians who believe that Ankara has become more “peaceful” and “accommodating” because of Greece’s help in rescue work after earthquakes in southeast Turkey.

The Turks are conducting exercises to transfer Turkish Altay tanks from the new TCG Anadolu (L-400), a universal landing ship of the Turkish Navy, which can be configured as a light aircraft carrier. The ship was designed to be based on the F-35B aircraft, however, in July 2019, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program due to the scandal associated with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system by Turkey and will work with helicopters and drones for the first time Bayraktar TB-3.

In Turkey, they tested the loading of the Altay tank on board the UDC L400 Anadolu pic.twitter.com/9uM87WkXrz

— Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 3, 2023

The ship has a 5440 m² flight deck and a 990 m² aircraft hangar that can accommodate 12 medium helicopters or 8 heavy Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters. When the aircraft hangar and light cargo bay are combined, the ship can carry up to 25 medium helicopters. Alternatively, the ship can carry up to 10 STOVL F-35B fighters and 12 medium helicopters, with the possibility of placing six more helicopters on the ship’s flight deck. Until the issue with American aircraft is resolved, Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles such as Bayraktar TB3, ANCA and KIZILELMA will act as the main strike force. From 30 to 50 TB.3 Bayrakltar naval UAVs can be placed on board the ship.

The ship has a 1880 m² light cargo hold for TEU containers and 27 Amphibious Tracked Vehicles (AAVs), a 1165 m² dock that can accommodate four LCM-6 landing craft or two LCAC hovercraft landing craft or two landing craft. LCVP type, as well as a 1410 m² heavy cargo bay that can accommodate 29 main battle tanks, assault vehicles and TEU containers. The ship is equipped with the ARAS-2023 divers detection sonar, and its crew will consist of 261 people: 30 officers, 49 sergeants, 59 senior sailors and 123 sailors.

The ship has a maximum displacement of 24,660 tons, a length of 232 m and a maximum speed of 21 knots. Its defensive armament includes a RAM system, “Falang” and five 25 mm STOP remotely controlled air defense systems.

TCG Anadolu will be able to approach any Greek island and after the drones it carries destroy the Greek air defenses, the islands’ defenses and the islands’ forward bases, it will then drop off ALTAYs tanks.

And all of this comes at a time when extensive articles are leaking out describing how amazing Greek-Turkish relations are and how “positive” the agenda is. At the same time, at the request of Turkey, Greece is actively demilitarizing the islands.

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