STM to Design Cutting-Edge Naval Support Vessels for Portugal’s Maritime Forces

STM, Türkiye’s premier naval defense enterprise, has surpassed several of the world’s top naval and military shipbuilders to secure a contract for constructing logistics support vessels for the Portuguese Navy. Two Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships (AOR+) will be conceptualized and manufactured in Türkiye, with STM as the principal contractor. This signifies the first occasion of Türkiye exporting military vessels to a European Union (EU) and NATO member nation via STM.

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş., renowned for its development of contemporary systems and serving as a trusted collaborator to international navies, has reached a substantial export milestone.

In the Portuguese Navy’s logistics support vessel tender, STM triumphed over prominent global competitors. The Portuguese Navy opted for STM’s design and engineering solution as the most proficient and consequently awarded the contract to the Turkish firm. This marks an unprecedented instance of Türkiye exporting military vessels to a European Union (EU) and NATO member nation through STM.

Under the AOR+ Project (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico, NRE+ in Portuguese), STM is designated as the principal contractor. Two vessels will be conceptualized and constructed in a private Turkish shipyard, with construction slated to commence in 2025.

Contract Finalized in Lisbon

The contract signing event for the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships, intended to fortify relations between Türkiye and Portugal, was conducted on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The ceremony saw attendance from Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye; Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy; Carlos Félix, representative of the Portuguese Defence Industries Agency (IdD); Prof. Dr. İhsan Kaya, Vice President at the Secretariat of Defence Industries; Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM; alongside representatives from the Portuguese Ministry of Defence and the Portuguese Navy.

Görgün: Türkiye’s inaugural defense procurement initiative with Portugal

During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün articulated the following vital points:

“Today, we are cementing a contract for two Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships for the Portuguese Navy—our premier defense procurement venture with Portugal. Türkiye’s defense industry has evolved remarkably in recent years. Türkiye, among the 10 nations worldwide that fabricate its own warships, has initiated the production and export of these products to our allied and friendly nations. Strengthening defense and industry cooperation with our NATO Allies remains a core priority for Türkiye.

We also perceive this agreement as a pathway towards deeper collaboration in various fields, including unmanned maritime vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and further shipbuilding and naval enhancement projects. We eagerly anticipate collaborative efforts to ensure timely, quality outcomes that will support the Portuguese Navy’s operational demands for years ahead.”

Güleryüz: Our First Naval Export to an EU and NATO Member

Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, emphasized their achievements in championing the Turkish defense sector globally, stating: “While we persist in bolstering the Turkish Navy with our indigenous platforms, we are concurrently undertaking diverse surface and submarine projects for Ukraine, Malaysia, and Pakistan. With our engineering prowess and design acumen, allied with international experience, we execute rapid, modular, cost-efficient, and collaborative projects that are amenable to information sharing.”

Elaborating on STM’s accomplishments in logistics support vessels, Güleryüz noted:

“The Fleet Tanker PNS MOAWIN, designed for the Pakistan Navy, has been functioning as the logistics support flagship of the fleet since 2018. We have also constructed and delivered two logistics support ships for the Turkish Navy, which have participated in numerous global maritime operations, including NATO missions.

Today, we take pride in formalizing the contract for Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships, a project that will elevate defense collaboration between Türkiye and Portugal. This milestone signifies Türkiye’s first naval ship export to an EU and NATO member nation, representing a remarkable achievement in our defense industry. We deeply value Portugal’s foresight in seeking modern naval vessels that satisfy contemporary requirements, as well as their decision to select Türkiye and STM for this essential mission.”

Multi-Role Capability

Detailing the ships to be developed under STM’s guidance, Güleryüz mentioned: “The vessels will possess an innovative design and modular construct customized to optimally fulfill the strategic aims and operational demands of the Portuguese Navy. With their pioneering design and multi-functional capabilities, the Logistics Support Vessels will be adept in executing joint force projection, amphibious operations, and replenishment at sea. They will demonstrate enhanced speed and cargo capacity relative to vessels of similar dimensions. We assert that these ships will significantly bolster the Portuguese Navy’s regional maneuvers as a principal asset in the Atlantic and contribute to NATO missions. The vessels will be fabricated in Türkiye under the stewardship of STM, with construction anticipated to start in 2025.”

Equipped for Refueling at Sea, Transporting Armored Vehicles, and Providing Logistics Support

The construction of the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships, recognized as a pivotal milestone showcasing Türkiye’s advancements in naval engineering, will feature a modular design. Besides offering logistical aid and transferring fuel and cargo at sea, the vessels will have the capability to transport armored vehicles, allowing them to support diverse joint and amphibious missions. With a rear vehicle ramp, each vessel will accommodate up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles.

Thanks to their modular, innovative, and adaptable design, the vessels will also be equipped to perform humanitarian aid, search and rescue, and medical operations during emergencies. Outfitted with an Integrated Communication System, the ships will possess command and control capabilities for effective fleet coordination.

90 Days Uninterrupted Deployment

The vessels, with a length of 137 meters and a displacement of 11,000 tons, will be capable of continuous maritime operations for up to 90 days. Each ship will house 100 personnel and transport up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles. Equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, the vessels will primarily emphasize air defense operations while being competent in engaging in all core warfare functions. The ships will feature close-in weapon systems, 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon systems, and chaff/decoy systems, in conjunction with an array of advanced sensors. For aviation operations, the ships will include a landing platform for helicopters and UAVs, as well as a UAV hangar.