STM Defense Technologies launches N.R.P. Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's second military vessel, enhancing NATO operations and maritime support.
STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. has completed another significant milestone in the Sea Supply and Logistics Support Vessel Project it is conducting for the Portuguese Navy. The second ship built under the project, N.R.P. Fernando Pessoa (A5212), was launched at a ceremony held on October 20, 2026, at the ADA Shipyard in Istanbul.
This project marks Turkey's first military ship export to a European Union and NATO member country and involves the simultaneous construction of two logistics support vessels.
The ceremony was attended by Admiral Jorge Manuel Nobre de Sousa, Commander of the Portuguese Navy; Admiral Kadir Yıldız, Commander of the Turkish Navy; STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz; representatives from the navies of both countries; and executives from STM and ADA Shipyard.
The two ships are scheduled to be delivered in 2028.
STM won the international tender opened by the Portuguese Navy and signed the contract in Lisbon on December 17, 2024.
The first ship of the project, N.R.P. Luís de Camões, had its steel cutting ceremony in November 2025, while the block launching ceremony took place in January 2026. The steel cutting for the second ship was conducted on June 18, 2026.
With the latest ceremony, the hull construction and outfitting activities for both vessels have begun simultaneously. The ships are expected to be launched in 2027 and delivered to the Portuguese Navy in 2028.
Measuring 137 meters in length and with a displacement of over 11,000 tons, the ships stand out with their modular designs suitable for multi-purpose operations.
The vessels will have a length of 137 meters and a displacement of over 11,000 tons, capable of reaching a maximum speed of over 18 knots and operating continuously at sea for 30 days.
The ships will be able to conduct fuel, ammunition, and cargo replenishment at sea. Additionally, thanks to the Ro-Ro ramps at the stern, they can carry up to 20 light armored tactical vehicles.
In addition to logistics support and military operation missions, the ships will also be utilized in humanitarian aid, search and rescue, disaster response, and medical support operations, equipped with platforms and hangars suitable for helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle operations.
The vessels will be equipped with close air defense systems, 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon systems, electronic countermeasure elements, and advanced sensors.
A significant project in Turkey's military ship export history, in his statement at the ceremony, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz noted that the company continues to carry its experience from 44 maritime platform projects conducted at 11 different shipyards to international markets.
Güleryüz emphasized that the Portuguese project is Turkey's first military ship export to a country that is a member of the EU and NATO, stating that the two ships are planned to be delivered in 2028 according to the scheduled timeline.
Admiral Nobre de Sousa, Commander of the Portuguese Navy, stated that the new ships would enhance the operational flexibility of the navy.
Nobre de Sousa expressed that the vessels would be used in a wide range of missions, from humanitarian aid and disaster response to military operations, contributing to NATO maritime operations and strengthening defense cooperation between Turkey and Portugal.
The ships are named after Portuguese poets, with the first ship named after Portugal's national poet Luís de Camões. The name of the second ship, initially planned to be called D. Dinis, was changed to Fernando Pessoa by the Portuguese Navy.
Fernando Pessoa, one of Portugal's important literary figures, is known for extensively addressing his country's maritime history and cultural identity in his works.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
