Top Turkish diplomat, Spanish envoy talk defense ties

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday met with Spain's Ambassador Francisco Javier Hergueta and a top official from a state-owned Spanish engineering firm.

"We discussed our cooperation in defense industry with Spain's Ambassador Hergueta and Pablo Menendez, the Eastern Mediterranean General Manager of Navantia Company, which provides design support to TCG Anadolu," a new Turkish naval ship, Cavusoglu said on Twitter.

Navantia, a Spanish state-owned engineering and technology company, is responsible for designing and constructing the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship the TCG Anadolu.

Cavusoglu said the Anadolu will soon come into use.

The Anadolu will be able to transport a force the size of a minimum battalion without needing home base support, according to Turkey's Defense Industries Presidency.

It can carry four mechanized, two air-cushioned and two personnel landing vehicles as well as aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship, spanning 231 meters (758 feet) long and 32 m (105 ft.) wide, will have a full load displacement of about 27,000 tons.

*Writing by Burak Dag