Joking aside, I was intending to plot a scene similar to how AH-1s are transferred from land forces to amphibious group and oriented for naval use for preliminary capability gain, M48s could pose as how heavy armoured group might be the first step towards stronger amphibious forces.
If we are speaking of an AC, and a present LHD and enthusiastic power-projection from Libya to Somalia, that shall come with an amphibious force capable of deploying a miniature form of Land Forces.
I would even take it even further and say that in my opinion the premiere expeditionary land operations capable force of TSK should be the Amphibious Task Group Command.
The Land Forces are already tired and overstretched. There are people on duty which don't know what is a vacation due to the continuous deployments in Iraq, Syria and many more locations around the world.
In my opinion the Amphibious Task Group Command should undergo a vast restructuring, increase of the numbers of the Marine Brigade personnel and introducing a level of self sufficiency and independence vision which would allow introducing new capabilities like a dedicated armor fleet, dedicated utility and attack helicopter fleet, dedicated UCAV fleet and increase of SHORAD, anti-tank, artillery and engineering capabilities.
I would like to see the Navy in a leading role regarding our deployments oversea and I would like to see the Amphibious Task Group Command in a state where they have the capabilities to fulfil the tasks given by the Navy as a self sufficient ground force element capable enough to take the leading position in the command of our military installations and operations oversea within the Navy's strategic vision for Turkish domination and posturing.
Within this concept of mine and the harsh reality of our current armor fleet, no matter the branch, I think we urgently need modern land platforms.
As we see our companies have absolutely amazing designs in all weight and role categories.
As far as I remember the Marine Brigade is still using old M113s. We have Kaplan 10 and Kaplan 25 that can be configured in all kinds of configurations and they are a good alternative to the light M113s.
We have FNSS's Kaplan MT, we have Otokar's Tulpar in a light/medium tank configuration. Now we saw the latest addition to the collection of beauties NOT fielded by TSK in the face of Otokar's design including integrated 120mm turret etc. If we are going to introduce a tank fleet and overall increase of armored fire power of our Marines we would also need recovery vehicles which are going to recover our damaged armor to repair points. Again we have companies that can design the perfect product for us.
We as persons and also Turkiye as a State has very big vision for the development of the country on the geopolitical arena. In order to support this vision we need a deterrent military and slowly, but surely we are losing this deterrence in all aspects other than the Navy. As we are in the Land Vehicle Programs thread we can give a very big example for this sad fact with the lack of procurement and introduction of modern capabilities of our land capable components no matter if we talk about the Land Forces or the Marines.
Why am I so invested in this issue and why am I voicing my concerns wherever I get the chance regarding the state of the Amphibious Brigade? Because for me Navy means diplomacy, strategy, vision, wisdom, technical capability, power projection, posture and not only that. For me the Navy is the accumulation of knowledge and IQ that can break the chains of a country and this is a very valid point especially when it comes to Turkiye. Nobody should take me wrong, Land Forces and Air Forces have their importance, but their role compared to the Navy is slightly different in my understanding of these affairs. The seas are the doors to the world and the Navy will lead us trough these doors. I want our Navy strong and self sufficient as much as possible.
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And also no mention of a hybrid drivetrain or powerpack. Alpha looks to be built for Saudi needs directly, not as FNSS' next gen IFV.
