Date: Issue 49 - January 2014
The LPD Project was launched by Turkey in order to conduct Force Projection and Amphibious Operation tasks at the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea as well as the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Within the scope of the project, 1 Landing Platform Dock (LPD), 4 LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized), 2 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP), 2 Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) and 1 Commander Boat shall be manufactured.
The vessel to be procured for the LPD Project has administrative and logistical functions in addition to its Force Projection and Amphibious Operation capabilities. The platform will contribute greatly to Turkish Naval Forces with its vehicle and personnel carrier capacity, command control services, night and day helicopter operation capability, fire support and emergency medical service capabilities. Landing Platform Dock could be used for Natural Disaster Aid tasks as well. With its general hospital and surgery room, the platform could be of use as a medical center during natural disasters, humanitarian aid and refugee evacuation operation purposes.
Sedef shipyard has partnered with Navantia for the project and based its offering on the Juan Carlos I design. This vessel visited Istanbul in May 2011 to support the bid.
Turkish Naval Forces Becoming Stronger with LPD
4 Landing Craft Mechanics (LCM) with a capacity of carrying 1 vessel or 2 Landing Craft Air Cushions with 1 vessel capacity could be located in the pool at the quarterdeck of the platform. The platform shall carry 2 LCVPs, 2 RHIBs and 1 Commander Boat. Vessel’s main features are as follows;
Displacement (estimated) : 19.000 tones
Length (estimated) : 200 meters
Maximum sustained speed : Min 22 knots
Maximum Speed (Full Load) : Min 20 knots
Eco-Spee : Min 16 knots
Range : Min 7000 nautical miles with eco-speed
Nautical Feature: Landing Operation at Sea Status 4, Helicopter Operation at Sea Status 6
Personnel Carrying Capacity:
190 Vessel Personnel
56 Flight Personnel
200 HRF(M) or MHDGG personnel
50 Medical Personnel
700 Amphibious Personnel (when HRF(M) is formed 550 Amphibious Personnel)
Vehicle Carrying Capacity:
Vehicle Deck:
13 Vessels
27 Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV)
6 Armored Personnel Carrier
33 Miscellaneous Vehicles
15 Trailers
Helicopter Deck:
4 Helicopters of Minimum 15 tones
Hangar:
4 Helicopters of Minimum 15 tones or 3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles