The Anadolu is a Turkish amphibious assault ship. It is built to a similar project as the Spanish Juan Carlos I. Discussion that Turkey should obtain an amphibious assault ship and 4 new landing craft began back in 2013. Turkey acquired license from Navantia to build this new warship. Contract for the construction of the ship was signed in 2015. Construction began in 2016 in Turkey. It is expected to be commissioned with the Turkish Navy in 2021. Once in service it will act as a flagship of the Turkish Navy. The second warship of this class, Trakya, is also planned. The Andalou is similar in concept to US amphibious assault ships, but is smaller.

Construction of this warship shows the level of resouces that Turkey is devoting towards its amphibious capabilities. Turkish Navy is about to become an even stronger player in the Mediterranean region. This multi-role warship can carry aircraft, helicopters, marines, vehicles, and various supplies. This amphibious assault ship was specially designed to operate STOVL aircraft. A flight deck is around 200 m long and has a sky-jump bow. It has a number of spots for aircraft and helicopters. The Anadolu can be used as a light aircraft carrier. It this role it can carry up to 30 aircraft.

It was planned that this warship will operate F-35B stealthy multi-role fighters. Turkey even funded some of the development of this aircraft and supplied some of the components. However in 2020 United States cancelled the Turkish contract and banned deliveries of the F-35 aircraft to Turkey due to military ties with Russia. In 2019 Turkey obtained a Russian S-400 long-range air defense missile system and this was one of the factors that spoiled relationship with the United States. So currently it is unclear weather this warship will operate any fixed-wing aircraft, or will carry only helicopters.

The Anadolu can also carry helicopters. It will operate a mix of anti-submarine, T-129 attack helicopters and utility helicopters, including CH-47 Chinook medium-lift transports. Originally it was planned that typical airwing in light aircraft carrier configuration would be 12 F-35B stealthy multi-role fighters and 12 helicopters. However due to cancellation of the Turkish F-35 contract most likely that the Anadolu will be fitted only with helicopters and unɱaпned aerial vehicles.

There is an aircraft hangar that can accommodate 12 medium-size helicopters, or 8 CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Once the aircraft hangar is extended into the cargo and vehicle hangar, the Anadolu can carry 25 medium-size heliocpters. Another 6 helicopters can be carried on the flight deck. This warship can accommodate up to 1 000 marines as well as up to 100 vehicles including at least 29 tanks, as well as armored and transport vehicles. It has a multi-functional hangar and garage space on two levels under the flight deck. It will be operated by a crew of 261, including 30 officers.

Recently Turkey ordered a batch of ZAHA amphibious armored personnel carriers, similar to those of the US AAV7. These are designed to deliver troops and supplies from amphibious ships to shore and can make a forced entry on hostile beaches. It is planned that these new armored vehicles will be deployed on the Anadolu. This amphibious assault ship will carry around 27 of these armored vehicles. There is a well deck. It can hold 2 LCAC howercraft or 4 mechanized landing craft (LCMs), or 2 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs). These will be used for delivery of troops, tanks and vehicles from ship to shore.

This warship is fitted with Turkish ωεɑρσռ systems. It is armed with four or five 25 mm Aselsan STOP Close-In ധҽąքօղ Systems (CIWS), and two 20 mm Phalanx Block 1B CIWS systems. Also there are three 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP ωεɑρσռ systems. There is a single US-made RIM-116 RAM launcher with short-range air defense missiles. Radar of this warship has detection range of 250 km. ധҽąքօղs of Anadolu are mainly intended for self-defense against incoming anti-ship missiles. Protection for this amphibious assault ship against various threats will be provided by other warships of the Turkish fleet.

Maximum speed is 21 knots (39 km/h) in light aircraft carrier configuration and 29 knots (54 km/h) in amphibious assault ship configuration. Even though both the Spanish Juan Carlos I and Turkish Anadolu are multi-functional warships, the Juan Carlos I has stronger air wing and the Anadolu havs stronger amphibious assault capability. It is esᴛι̇ɱated that cost of this Turkish amphibious assault ship will be around $1 Billion.