It doesn't matter we won't be operating our LHD before 2023. Even the announced "delivery" date of March 2022 is very doubtful. It might slip to the second or third quarter easily and I have suspicions that it might slip even more. The initial operational capability can be gained in 2023 with a march 2022 delivery.
Correct! To get TCG Anadolu ready may be even later. But to navalise a helicopter means you almost have to re-build it from scratch.
Landing gears will be much stronger. Structure of the helicopter will be made to withstand rough landings on deck. All equipment, including PCBs, in the inside of the helicopter will have to be corrosion proof tested and will have to be rebuilt if needed. Paint is probably the easiest part. But it has to be special as well. Seahawk and Blackhawk are sooo different.
How long do you think it will take to build a navalised t-129 ?
Hell! We haven’t even built our t-929 yet. First there is going to be prototypes. Then production. When do you reckon we will have the first serial production samples coming out? Never mind the navalised version!
Either we will have to buy ready built sea worthy helicopters from Italy or use those old AH1 super cobras until we have our own.
OK for transporting troops, we may not need helicopters stationed on LHD. We could use land stationed Helicopters even if it is inconvenient. But if we are talking about force projection off shore, then all helicopters should be stationed at the LHD.