The TCG Anadolu is the largest carrier of drones and helicopters in the world.
The NATO Allied Command in Brunssum announced on February 20 that the Turkish drone carrier TCG Anadolu is being deployed towards the coast of Latvia as part of Operation Eastern Sentry. It has come under the command of NATO Air Forces to enhance air surveillance and defense along the eastern border of the alliance.
NATO is sending a signal to Russia: Turkey is redeploying the drone carrier TCG Anadolu to the Baltic Sea as part of Operation Eastern Sentry. According to the alliance, TCG Anadolu will be used to strengthen air surveillance and defense along the eastern border of the bloc. NATO emphasizes that this is a demonstration of readiness to bolster the security of allies in the region. In a social media post, the command described the deployment as a "clear signal to the east" and noted that Anadolu is the largest ship in the Steadfast Dart 26 forces.
TCG Anadolu is the world's first specialized carrier of unmanned aerial vehicles in naval forces. It is capable of carrying and launching strike drones Bayraktar TB3 and other UAVs, as well as helicopters. During a recent phase of the Steadfast Dart 26 exercises in the Baltic Sea, long flights of TB3 (including joint missions with Eurofighter Typhoon fighters lasting up to 8 hours and a range of about 1700 km) were already conducted from the ship's deck, as well as successful strikes with guided munitions on maritime targets.
The ship will act as a floating platform for a constant air presence, ensuring detection, tracking, and, if necessary, neutralization of air threats in the Baltic region. Experts note that this step underscores Turkey's growing role in NATO's collective defense on the eastern flank, as well as the successful integration of Turkish drone technologies into the Alliance's multinational operations. The redeployment of Anadolu enhances the overall picture of NATO's force buildup in the Baltic amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko previously stated that the alliance is allegedly training to cut off Kaliningrad from mainland Russia.
