Turkey is named the 3rd most effective naval power for 2026 by Naval Today, driven by a landmark export deal with Portugal.
Turkey, which has reinforced its role as a 'game changer' in the defense industry, has been selected as the 3rd most effective naval power of 2026 by the world-renowned maritime publication Naval Today. The historic export agreement signed with Portugal is seen as the locomotive of this rise.
Naval Today, based in the Netherlands and recognized as an authority on global maritime strategies and naval technologies, published its report on 'Naval Powers to Watch in 2026.' Turkey has secured the 3rd position on the list, surpassing major fleets. The most striking detail of the report is the historic signature of Turkish shipyards in the European Union and NATO markets.
A First in the EU and NATO Market: Portugal Export
The main reason behind Turkey's massive rise is the logistic support vessels being built for the Portuguese Navy. Defense industry experts view this agreement not merely as a 'sale,' but as a 'technology endorsement' by Western standards.
The analysis by Naval Today emphasized that Turkey's military shipbuilding capacity provides an advantage over traditional European manufacturers in terms of cost-speed-quality balance.
Strategic Asset: NRP Luís de Camões (A5211)
The ship, which will be the most modern logistic element of the Portuguese Navy, will carry Turkey's engineering prowess to the Atlantic. With a displacement of 11,000 tons and an accelerated construction process starting in January 2026, the vessel stands out with the following capabilities:
NATO Standard Logistics: Critical role in NATO operations with at-sea replenishment (RAS) capability.
UAV Integration: Serving as an operational center for unmanned systems, a hallmark of the Turkish defense industry.
Global Range: Ocean-crossing operational capacity with a range of 14,000 nautical miles.
From 'Blue Homeland' to Global Market
The report also noted that Turkey's success in domestic frigate projects (I-Class) and unmanned surface vehicles (USV) has transformed Turkey into a 'technology provider' for the world's navies, not just a buyer, by 2026.
This achievement of Turkey is also supported by analysts who expect the share of naval platforms in the defense export targets for 2026 to reach record levels.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
