STM, Turkey’s national engineering powerhouse, has beaten some of the world’s leading military maritime companies to win the Portuguese Navy’s Logistics Support Ship tender. The project will see two Maritime Supply and Logistics Support Ships built in Turkey under STM’s prime contractorship. This landmark deal marks the first time Turkey has exported a military vessel to a European Union (EU) and NATO member state.
STM, a leader in the Turkish defence industry, secured the project by providing the most efficient solution in the tender opened by the Portuguese Navy. The construction of these logistic support ships underscores Turkey’s advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities, which are now being showcased at the European level.
The official contract signing ceremony took place on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. The event was hosted by Admiral Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo, Commander of the Portuguese Navy, and attended by senior Turkish officials, including Prof. Dr Haluk Görgün, President of Defence Industries, and Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM.
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün emphasised Turkey’s global position in warship production: “Turkey is among the top 10 countries in the world capable of producing its own warships. The project signed for the Portuguese Navy is the first defence procurement agreement between the two countries. We aim to extend this cooperation to areas such as unmanned systems, electronic warfare and naval modernisation”.
STM managing director Özgür Güleryüz highlighted the project’s innovation: “Our unique modular design is perfectly aligned with the operational requirements of the Portuguese Navy. These ships will combine high speed and exceptional load capacity. Construction is scheduled to start in 2025”.
Specifications of the Logistics Support Ships
The ships, designed and manufactured by STM, will feature:
- Length: 137 meters
- Displacement: 11,000 tonnes
- Maximum Speed: 18+ knots
- Operational Duration: 90 days of uninterrupted sea time
- Staff Capacity: 100 operational personnel + 100 additional passengers
- Carrying Capacity: Up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles
Equipped with cutting-edge air defense systems, remote-controlled weapon systems, and advanced sensors, the ships will also include a helicopter platform and a UAV hangar.
Multi-Role Capabilities
Beyond providing logistical support at sea, these vessels are designed to perform a variety of critical missions, including:
- Humanitarian aid during crises
- Search and rescue operations
- Hospital services
- Strategic roles in amphibious operations and power projection
With their modular structure and versatile design, the ships will strengthen the Portuguese Navy’s operational capacity in both peacetime and conflict.
