Turkey begins the construction of the amphibian ship class Juan Carlos I with Navantia design.

Turkey began the construction of the amphibious ship class Juan Carlos I, which it does with Navantia design, with the ceremony of the first steel cut in the Turkish shipyard SEDEF, in its facilities of Tuzla Bay. It was attended by the President of Turkey, Recep Tajik Erdogan. This milestone marks the beginning of the manufacture of the ship and is the first conclusion since the entry into force of the contract.

The ceremony was attended by Navantia's president, José Manuel Revuelta, the Commercial Director, Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero and the head of the Turkish LHD Programme, Ricardo Biarge, as well as the members of the Turkish Delegation and the Resident Team in the Turkish shipyard SEDEF. The Spanish ambassador to Ankara, Rafael Mendivil, also attended.

The amphibian vessel shall bear the number L-408 and shall be called"TCG Anadolu". Navantia participates in this contract, which entered into force on 18 September 2015, as a technological partner, between the Turkish shipyard SEDEF and the Under-Secretariat of Turkish Defence Industries (SSM). The Spanish company provides SEDEF, for local construction, design, technology transfer, equipment and technical assistance. The design, based on the LHD "Juan Carlos I" of the Spanish Navy, is adapted to the needs of the Turkish Navy.

It has the great advantage of being a proven design and has demonstrated its magnificent performance since its delivery. Navantia has already built three such ships, the Juan Carlos I for the Spanish Navy and two similar for Australia, the Canberra and the Adelaide. This will allow the construction of the Turkish LPD to begin eight months after the entry into force of the contract, a very short time on a ship of this complexity.

The president of Navantia, José Manuel Revuelta, considers the ability to export technology to be very relevant to the Spanish industry. He stressed that "one of the future lines of shipbuilding is technology transfer, and therefore having ongoing programs such as the construction of LHD for Turkey is a strategic priority for Navantia. "

The equipment provided by Navantia is 5 groups of diesel generators, and the Integrated Platform Control System, which will be developed at its Cartagena facilities. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2021. It is estimated that this contract will provide the shipyards of Navantia, as well as the business of Motors and Systems of the company, with about a million hours of work, of which 900,000 are of engineering and 100,000 of production.

This contract involves the consolidation of Navantia as a world reference in the market for large amphibious LPD / LHD landing vessels, as well as entry into the Turkish market. This country has an ambitious plan of future programmes, including the acquisition of anti-aircraft frigates, for which Navantia is strongly betting through his delegation to Turkey established in 2013.