One of the most significant export moves of the Turkish defense industry in military maritime operations has reached a critical milestone in the Portuguese Navy project. STM, which won the international tender opened by the Portuguese Navy for the need for two logistics support vessels, has accelerated the construction of the first ship of the project.

Historic Entry into the European Market

With this tender, which STM won by surpassing global shipyards, a first has been achieved in Turkish history: for the first time, a military vessel is being exported to a member country of the European Union (EU) and NATO. Following the signing of the contract in Lisbon on December 17, 2024, the construction phase of the vessels, whose design process has been completed, materialized at the beginning of 2026.

January 29, 2026: The First Ship Laid Down

One of the most important milestones of the project, the 'keel-laying' ceremony, was held on January 29, 2026, at the ADA Shipyard in Istanbul. Defense ministers and naval commanders from both countries attended the ceremony, emphasizing the strategic importance of the project.

Technical Capacity: The ships, which will be 137 meters long, will have a displacement of over 11,000 tons.

Speed and Range: The vessels can reach a maximum speed of over 18 knots, have a range of 14,000 nautical miles, and can operate continuously at sea for 30 days.

Multifunctional Mission: The ships will not only conduct fuel and ammunition replenishment; they will also be able to carry 20 armored vehicles and serve as humanitarian aid and hospital ships.

In Portuguese Waters by 2028

According to the schedule shared by STM, the first ship is planned to be launched in 2027 and delivered to the Portuguese Navy within 2028. The keel-laying ceremony for the second ship is targeted to be held by June 2026.

President of the Defense Industry Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün stated, 'This project is the most concrete indication of the trust in Turkish engineering and shipbuilding capabilities in Europe and NATO. It is no coincidence that a country with a deep maritime tradition like Portugal has chosen Turkey.'

Source: SeaNews Türkiye

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Turkey's Historic Defense Deal with Portuguese Navy