Due to COVID-19 concerns, the event was held as a low-key ceremony in Anadolu Shipyard facilities, and it was attended by VIP visitors including senior navy officers from Turkey and Qatar.
Anadolu Shipyard began construction on these ships in July 2021 and make them ready to launch in 7.5 months. After being delivered in August, the ships are scheduled to arrive in Qatar in September.
Sualp Urkmez, General Manager of Anadolu Shipyard, spoke at the occasion, emphasizing the company’s expertise in constructing landing crafts and how these LCMs outperform their competitors in terms of maneuverability. He also stated that these ships are the world’s largest and fastest LCMs.
LCMs’ unique design allows them to successfully execute amphibious and humanitarian relief operations in shallow waters. The fact that it has a carrying capacity of 130 tons and can load two 60-ton tanks puts this ship in a class of its own. In only 7.5 months, these two ships were brought to the launching stage. It will be ready for delivery in less than a year if port and sea acceptance tests are completed in the following months.
Sualp Urkmez, General Manager of Anadolu Shipyard
While revealing about Anadolu Shipyard’s future plans, Sualp Urkmez also announced a significant issue during the ceremony that Anadolu Shipyard is working on a special unmanned landing craft for a while.
Based on the 3xLCT + 3xLCM requirement indicated at the start of the project and in accordance with the landing craft operating concept, we would like to build three more landing craft for the Qatar Navy beginning in 2023. Of course, if Qatar desires, we would be delighted to provide details regarding our Unmanned Landing Ship project, which we have been developing for a while and can manufacture for them.
Sualp Urkmez, General Manager of Anadolu Shipyard
The company officials didn’t reveal any information about the specifications or timeline of the unmanned landing craft project.
In 2020, Anadolu Shipyard and Barzan Holdings signed a contract to manufacture landing equipment for the Qatari Emiri Navy. Anadolu Shipyard has been building one LCT (Landing Craft Tank), two 40-meter LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized 40), and one 15.7-meter LCVP under the terms of the contract (Landing Craft Vehicle & Personnel).
Anadolu Shipyard also constructs cadet training ships for the Qatari Emiri Navy; the first ship was delivered to Qatar in August 2021, and the second ship, which is presently undergoing sea trials, will be delivered by the end of February.
About LCMs:
The 130-ton crafts are designed to carry and transfer vehicles, such as two 60-ton tanks, armoured vehicles or trucks, and personnel to the shore. In addition to amphibious operations, the ships would be used to transport equipment or personnel between beaches, military bases, ports, and oil rigs.
Main specifications:
- Length: 40m
- Beam: 7m
- Displacement: 130 tons
- Propulsion: 2x1850kW Diesel Engines coupled to 2xWaterjets
- Speed: 20 knots maximum; 15 knots cruising
- Complement: 1 Commanding Officer, 2 operators
- Load Capacity: 70 tons of Mixed Vehicles / Cargo or 120 Marines
- Weapons: 2 x 12.7 mm gun
