National Defense Minister Mr. Fikri Işık, who made a speech in the ceremony, said: “Up until now, there are close to 40 platforms that we have built in military and private shipyards and delivered to the Naval Forces Command.  More than 20 of the contracts currently under construction are still undergoing platform construction work. We will deliver the second ship L-403 Sancaktar in October, following the commissioning of the second ship.’’

Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, explained that they are carrying out modernization and procurement projects with the aim of reinforcing the amphibious power, stronger than before the Cyprus Peace Operation, stating that they are taking into account the political and military developments that have taken place throughout the world.  He said that they are developing it according to the requirements of the modern age. First and foremost, was the production of fast amphibious ships with short-range power transmission capability.

The project which envisaged the construction of Bayraktar and Sancaktar from the most modern amphibious platforms of the modern age, will develop our ability to be a regional power. Finally, construction has begun on the Anadolu, the Landing Helicopter Dock, which will bring many new capabilities to the Naval Forces. TCG Bayraktar, which is one of the key steps on this road map, will enter our Naval Forces inventory and will increase our non-war activities as well as our ability to transfer power. This acquisition is also important in terms of having the ability to provide stronger assistance to friendly and allied nations when necessary.’’

As part of the program, the command control capabilities, designed with a high-degree combat management system, integration and tests of the amphibious ship equipped with modern sensors and weapons were accomplished seamlessly by Havelsan. During the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) of the vessel, all combat functions of the ship were tested successfully and direct hits were achieved throughout the firing over the combat management system to air, land and surface targets. In a short period of 35 months after the ceremony held on 13 May 2014 for Bayraktar’s sheet cutting, all tests were completed successfully. Thus, the ship was completed within 46 months including the design activities as well. 

Havelsan’s Genesis Combat Management System was developed as part of the LST requirements and in addition to the Combat Management System, new capabilities such as the integrated multiple datalink capability and amphibious operation capability were added to the platform. The Ship Information Distribution System enabling the management of Bayraktar’s data sources and users and the Closed Circuit Television System (CCTV) which was adapted for the military working environments in order to contribute to the security of the ship were integrated to the vessel. Moreover, TSK-NET, NATO-WAN and INTERNET connections of the ship that was equipped with the Ship Information Distribution System that was accomplished by Havelsan as part of the project.

While the construction of the LST-Amphibious Ship consisted of 70.68% local industry participation, the breakdown ratio of SME’s in domestic industry participation was approximately 48%.  All superstructures and ship’s bridge windows are designed with ballistic protection, while the ship is constructed as a mono-hull, displacement type and with fully steel construction. The ship also has full personnel protection for nuclear, biological and chemical attacks.  

These amphibious ships, the largest and most technologically advanced naval ships built by private sector shipyards in Turkey, were built entirely of steel with local and unique design. The vessels being built under the supervision of the SSM and Türk Loydu in accordance with the Turkish Loydu Military Ship regulations will again be certified by Türk Loydu.

At the stern of the ship there is a hatch cover for allowing loading / unloading operations and a flight deck that enables the landing and take-off  operations of a 15 ton general utility helicopter. The ship also has 4 LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) amphibious vehicles capable of carrying 8 tons of cargo or 40 mariners and capable of a vessel speed up to 20+ knots.

The second ship of the program “Sancaktar” is planned to be delivered to the Turkish Naval Forces with the completion of the marine acceptance tests in the last quarter of 2017.