Dropping anchor at the Karaköy port, a press conference was held on the Juan Carlos I (L61) with the ship’s captain Colonel Gonzalez Aller stating that the visit would further strengthen the ties between the two nations. Colonel Aller indicated that the aircraft carrier was commissioned on 30 September 2010.

Colonel Aller stated that the aircraft carrier has basic functions, above all it was an amphibious landing ship and commissioned for sea and humanitarian aid operations and went on to say:

“The ship’s duty is to provide support for certain operations that take place on distant seas; in particular the ship has the duty in transporting all types of necessary materials, tanks to the army. Another mission of the ship is to be an alternative platform in particular to aircraft. All types of takeoff and landings can take place on this ship. Finally, we use this ship for humanitarian aid operations.

Our ship has a large hospital capacity and using its existing large cargo capability we can carry all types of aid and supplies for humanitarian assistance operations. For this reason, she is very suitable for these operations. Whether it’s an earthquake or any other disaster we can use this ship.”

"Turkey is a member of NATO, and this is an aircraft carrier that can be integrated into any NATO mission at any time, whether in Afghanistan or Libya." The Juan Carlos I can carry up to 1,435 marines as well as 25-30 helicopters and aircraft, he added.

Colonel Aller indicated that that this ship was the first example of her type in the Spanish Navy, that 3 more ships of this type were in the construction stage and that 2 of these ships would be used in the Australian Navy. Colonel Aller further stated that, “At the present time this ship is the largest in the Spanish Navy. It is a multi-functional ship and has been designed to meet the requirements of this century and to overcome difficulties that may arise for the next 40 years.”

The most important feature of the ship is that with her versatility with 230.82 m length, 32 m width and a cargo displacement approaching 27,000 tonnes which allow an extensive level of capability, she can undertake many diverse missions but also on the one hand, built by Navantia, has gained the largest platform features for the Spanish Navy while at the same time as made Navantia a global reference point in this sector. The Juan Carlos I is the first ship of this size to be equipped with a pod electric propulsion system and with her high level automation has 247 crew members. The ship can receive up to six helicopters or four aircraft at the same time.