Innovative Naval Support Craft: STM Sets Sail for Portugal’s Maritime Future

STM, Türkiye’s leading naval defense corporation, has outperformed numerous top-tier naval and military shipbuilders globally to secure a contract for manufacturing logistics support vessels for the Portuguese Navy. Two Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships (AOR+) will be designed and produced in Türkiye, with STM assuming the role of the main contractor. This marks the inaugural instance of Türkiye exporting military vessels to a European Union (EU) and NATO member nation through STM.

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş., acclaimed for its creation of advanced systems and recognized as a reliable partner to international navies, has achieved a significant export milestone.

In the Portuguese Navy’s tender for logistics support vessels, STM triumphed over notable global contenders. The Portuguese Navy selected STM’s design and engineering proposal as the most efficient, which led to the awarding of the contract to the Turkish firm. This event represents an extraordinary moment for Türkiye, marking the first export of military vessels to a European Union (EU) and NATO ally via STM.

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

Contract Formalized in Lisbon

The contract signing ceremony for the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships, aimed at strengthening ties between Türkiye and Portugal, was held on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The event was graced by 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; along with officials from the Portuguese Ministry of Defence and the Portuguese Navy.

Görgün: Türkiye’s First Defense Procurement Initiative with Portugal

During the event, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün articulated the following key points:

“Today, we are formalizing a contract for two Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships for the Portuguese Navy—our first defense procurement initiative with Portugal. Türkiye’s defense sector has advanced impressively in recent years. Türkiye is among the top 10 nations globally that fabricates its own warships and has commenced the production and exportation of these vessels to our allied and friendly countries. Bolstering defense and industrial collaboration with our NATO Allies is a fundamental priority for Türkiye.

We view this agreement as a stepping stone towards deeper partnerships in various domains, including unmanned maritime vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and additional shipbuilding and naval enhancement endeavors. We eagerly anticipate working together to achieve timely, quality results that will meet the Portuguese Navy’s operational needs for years to come.”

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

Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, reiterated their accomplishments in championing the Turkish defense industry globally, stating: “While we continue to enhance the Turkish Navy with our indigenous platforms, we are also undertaking various surface and submarine projects for Ukraine, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Our engineering expertise and design capabilities, combined with international experience, enable us to deliver swift, modular, cost-efficient, and collaborative projects that lend themselves to information sharing.”

Discussing STM’s achievements in logistics support vessels, Güleryüz remarked:

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

Today, we are proud to formalize 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 inaugural naval ship export to an EU and NATO member nation, representing an exceptional accomplishment in our defense industry. We greatly appreciate Portugal’s foresight in seeking modern naval vessels that fulfill contemporary requirements and their decision to choose Türkiye and STM for this critical mission.”

Multi-Role Capability

Detailing the ships to be developed under STM’s guidance, Güleryüz highlighted: “The vessels will embody an innovative design and modular construct tailored to effectively meet the strategic objectives and operational requirements of the Portuguese Navy. With their cutting-edge design and multi-functional capabilities, the Logistics Support Vessels will excel in executing joint force projection, amphibious operations, and replenishment at sea. They will offer enhanced speed and cargo capacity compared to vessels of similar dimensions. We assert that these ships will significantly enhance the Portuguese Navy’s regional maneuvers as a key asset in the Atlantic and contribute to NATO missions. The vessels will be built in Türkiye under the oversight 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 significant milestone illustrating Türkiye’s advancements in naval engineering, will showcase a modular design. In addition to providing logistical support and transferring fuel and cargo at sea, the vessels will be capable of transporting armored vehicles, enabling them to support diverse joint and amphibious missions. Equipped with a rear vehicle ramp, each vessel will accommodate up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles.

Thanks to their modular, innovative, and versatile design, the vessels will also be capable of conducting 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 adept at continuous maritime operations for up to 90 days. Each ship will accommodate 100 personnel and transport up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles. Equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapon systems, the vessels will primarily focus on air defense operations while being capable of 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, along with an array of advanced sensors. For aviation operations, the vessels will include a landing platform for helicopters and UAVs, as well as a UAV hangar.