The Turks are building the aircraft carrier “Anadolu” with the prospect of it actually operating as an aircraft carrier despite the fact that it will not have the F-35 at its disposal as was the original plan.

Instead, armed drones will be used such as the Bayraktar TB-3 armed unmanned aerial vehicle, which will be used in “Anadolu” and will make its first flight this year as reported by Cypriot sigmalive.

Turkey started the construction of the aircraft carrier in order to impose the “Blue Homeland“. It was originally designed to be used by F-35 fighter jets, capable of vertical landing and take-off. However, after the blockade of the F-35, it was decided to use armed drones.

Baykar, which produces unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Bayraktar TB-2 and Akıncı, has now also started developing the Bayraktar TB-3 armed drone for Anadolu, which can land and take off on ships with small runways, and this year the sophisticated drone will make its first flight.

When Anadolu starts its missions, it is expected to serve about 40 Bayraktar TB-3s.

The Bayraktar TB-3 armed unmanned aerial vehicle will be able to carry about 280 kg of payload, such as missiles and cameras. In addition, unlike other drones, its wings will be foldable which means it will gain space.

Defencenet. gr had reported that the Turkish aircraft carrier TCG Anadolu will be the first ship of its type in history to be equipped only with unmanned combat aircraft.

Two new drones will be its main equipment, not just the Bayraktar TB-3.

The first will be the Bayractar TB3, with its tilted wings, with company owner Haluk Bayraktar saying that “As everyone talks about how drone technology is changing business doctrines one of our next goals is the TB3 drone, capable of taking off and landing at TCG Anadolu. ”

The Turkish CEO makes special reference to the jet drone development program undertaken by his company, which was unveiled in mid-summer 2021 and is called “Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi – MİUS“.

The new unmanned combat aircraft will be capable of operating at very high altitude and will have a maximum take-off weight of 5. 5 tonnes, with a payload of 1. 5 tonnes.

It will also have stealth characteristics, will be able to operate in conjunction with conventional aircraft, will carry air-to-air missiles, while particular emphasis will be placed on its ability to manoeuvre in order to penetrate areas protected by enemy air defences. This is scheduled to make its first flight in 2023.