The Turkish shipyard SEDEF has signed a contract with the Turkey's procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) for the design and construction of Landing Platform Dock (LPD) for the Turkish Navy.
The 231-meter landing platform dock that is capable of carrying 1,000 personnel. Mujdat Uludag, a senior official at SSM, said the project is expected to end in 2021.
Uludağ noted the capabilities of the Turkish Naval Forces will be advanced with this LPD, adding the warship would be able to sail in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Seas.
“If needed, the warship can also sail in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans,” he said.
The contract covers design and construction of an LPD ship based on the Spanish Navy's Navantia designed and built LHD Juan Carlos I.
Navantia participates in this contract as a technological partner. Navantia will provide the design, transfer of technology, equipments and technical assistance to SEDEF for local construction.
The design, based on the LHD “Juan Carlos I” for the Spanish Navy, is adapted to the Turkish Navy requirements, having the advantage of being a tested ship with excellent performance since commissioning.
Navantia will also provide several components and systems, as the engines and the IPMS (Integrated Platform Management System).
The new craft will be biggest landing dock in the naval forces’ inventory. The vessel will be able to be on duty at sea for 50 days without taking any logistic support and reach a speed of 20.5 knots.