STM, a prominent Turkish defense company known for developing modern naval systems, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in its export journey. The company has been awarded a significant contract under Portugal's Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher (AOR+) Project, marking Türkiye's first military ship export to a European Union (EU) and NATO member state.
The Portuguese Navy selected STM's design and engineering solutions over global competitors for its logistics support vessel tender. As the main contractor, STM will oversee the design and construction of two ships at a private Turkish shipyard, with construction set to begin in 2025.
Contract Signed in Lisbon
The contract for the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships was signed on December 17, 2024, in Lisbon. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Türkiye’s Secretary of Defence Industries; Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy; Carlos Félix from Portugal’s Defence Industries Agency (IdD); and STM’s General Manager Özgür Güleryüz.
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün stated, “This contract for two logistics ships is not only Türkiye's first naval procurement project with Portugal but also a testament to the capabilities of our defense industry. This agreement reflects the strong collaboration between Türkiye and Portugal and opens the door for further cooperation in areas like unmanned maritime vehicles and naval modernization projects.”
A Landmark Export to NATO and EU
STM’s General Manager, Özgür Güleryüz, emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting, “This is a proud moment for STM and the Turkish defense industry. We are strengthening the Turkish Navy with our innovative platforms while expanding globally with projects in countries like Ukraine, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Now, we add Portugal to this list as our first EU and NATO partner in naval shipbuilding.”
Güleryüz also highlighted the ships’ multi-role capabilities, stating, “These vessels will play a strategic role in Portugal's naval operations, with the ability to perform replenishment at sea, amphibious operations, and humanitarian missions. Their modular design ensures flexibility, while their advanced systems and architecture meet NATO standards.”
Multi-Role Design for Strategic Missions
The Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships will boast cutting-edge features to meet the Portuguese Navy’s operational requirements. With a displacement of 11,000 tons, a maximum speed of over 18 knots, and the ability to operate for up to 90 days at sea, these ships are tailored for long-range and high-demand missions.
Key capabilities include replenishment at sea, command and control, logistics support, and medical assistance. Each vessel will also accommodate up to 100 personnel and feature a landing platform for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The modular design enables the transport of armored vehicles, support for amphibious operations, and deployment in humanitarian aid and crisis response missions. With advanced sensors and weapon systems, these ships will be fully equipped to handle both combat and peacetime tasks.
Strengthening Türkiye-Portugal Defense Cooperation
This agreement symbolizes the growing partnership between Türkiye and Portugal in defense. It also showcases the Turkish defense industry's expanding global footprint and its ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective naval solutions to allied nations.
