STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. has reached a key milestone in its historic project to build two At-Sea Replenishment and Logistics Support Ships for the Portuguese Navy. The steel-cutting ceremony for both vessels took place on 14 November 2025 at ADA Shipyard in Istanbul.
Signed on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon, the contract positioned STM ahead of several global naval shipbuilders, marking Turkey’s first military ship export to a European Union and NATO country.
The ceremony was attended by:
- Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün,
- SSB Vice President and STM Chairman Prof. Dr. İhsan Kaya,
- STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz,
- Portuguese Navy Ship Programs Director Rear Admiral Marques da Costa,
- Officials from both nations.
During the ceremony, steel was officially cut for the first vessel, which will be named after Portugal’s national poet Luís de Camões.
In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Görgün emphasized:“This project is a concrete demonstration of the trust a European Union and NATO member places in Turkish engineering. Portugal’s choice of STM reflects confidence not only in our company but in Türkiye’s entire defense industry.”
STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz added that block construction for the first ship will begin in January, and both vessels are planned for delivery in 2028.
Ship Specifications and Mission Profile
The At-Sea Replenishment and Logistics Support Ships are designed with a modular architecture, enabling flexible operational use.
Key Specifications
- Length: 137 m
- Displacement: 11,000 tons
- Maximum Speed: 18+ knots
- Endurance: 30 days at sea
- Personnel Capacity: 100 crew + 100 additional personnel
- Vehicle Capacity: Up to 20 light armored vehicles
Operational Capabilities
The ships will support a wide range of missions, including:
- Maritime refueling and replenishment (fuel, water, ammunition, supplies)
- Amphibious operations
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions
Planned Systems and Equipment
- Close-in weapon systems (CIWS)
- 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations
- Chaff/decoy protection systems
- Advanced sensor suites
- Modern command-and-control systems
Additionally, the vessels will include flight decks and hangars to support helicopter and UAV operations, enhancing operational flexibility.
