The keel-laying ceremony for the first of two replenishment and logistics support vessels to be built for the Portuguese Navy, NRP Luís de Camões, was held on January 29 at the ADA Shipyard in Istanbul, marking a new phase in defense-industrial cooperation between Türkiye and Portugal.
The project is part of the Ship-to-Ship Replenishment and Logistics Support Vessels Program, under which Turkish shipbuilder STM will construct two ships for Portugal’s navy.
The ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Portuguese Minister of Defense Nuno Melo, Presidential Defense Industries Chairman Haluk Görgün, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, as well as ambassadors from both countries and senior naval officials.
Cultural symbolism and maritime heritage
As part of the ceremony, a traditional naval ritual was performed in which a coin bearing the portrait of Luís de Camões, one of Portugal’s most influential poets, was placed in the keel of the ship. The gesture symbolized Portugal’s maritime heritage and cultural identity.
Admiral Nobre de Sousa, Commander of the Portuguese Navy (CEMA), said Camões was a unifying figure for Portugal through “the ocean and language,” adding that the Navy plays a central role in connecting the mainland, autonomous regions, and the Portuguese diaspora.
Expanding capabilities and NATO contribution
Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo described the ceremony as “a very important day for Portugal and the Navy,” emphasizing that the vessels are designed for more than replenishment missions.
According to Melo, the ships will support personnel and cargo transport, humanitarian assistance, force deployment, and multi-role logistical operations, significantly enhancing Portugal’s ability to operate in distant maritime theaters.
He noted that the program would restore Portugal’s ocean-going naval projection capability and strengthen its contribution to NATO’s joint maritime operations.
First NATO military ship export for Türkiye
The project represents a milestone for Türkiye, marking its first export of a military vessel to a NATO ally.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said modern naval power cannot be measured solely by combat platforms, stressing that replenishment and logistical support ships are essential for sustained naval operations.
Güler highlighted that growing global uncertainty, multidimensional threats, and maritime security risks have increased the strategic value of cooperation between Türkiye and Portugal. He added that working with Portugal—a NATO ally with a long maritime tradition—holds particular significance for Ankara.
Defense industry capacity and local production
Güler attributed Türkiye’s current position in the defense industry to its local, national, and modern production strategy, citing major programs such as MİLGEM, TCG Anadolu, the TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer, and the MİLDEN National Submarine Program as evidence of this capability.
He said Türkiye has evolved from meeting domestic defense needs to becoming a reliable supplier and partner for allied and friendly nations.
Cost, industrial participation, and delivery timeline
Defense Minister Melo confirmed that the contract signed with STM for the two ships is valued at approximately €100 million, noting that the price was significantly lower than competing international offers.
While the ships’ structural construction will take place in Türkiye, a substantial share of communications systems, technological equipment, and hardware components will be produced in Portugal. Portuguese companies will also participate throughout the vessels’ life cycle.
The Portuguese Navy is overseeing the construction through technical teams stationed at the shipyard, focusing on quality control and crew readiness.
The NRP Luís de Camões is scheduled for delivery in 2028, with the second vessel, NRP D. Dinis, also expected to be delivered in the same year.
Strategic gains for both countries
For Portugal, the program restores a critical maritime support capability and reinforces a modern, expeditionary navy. For Türkiye, it strengthens the defense industry’s role as a trusted supplier to NATO allies and a partner in international naval projects.
