Demonstrating Türkiye’s growing national engineering capability in naval platforms, STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. has reached a critical milestone in the Replenishment and Logistics Support Ship (AOR+) Project for the Portuguese Navy. The keel-laying ceremony for the first ship was held on 29 January at the ADA Shipyard in Istanbul, where construction activities are being carried out under STM’s main contractor responsibility. This project is of historic significance, as it represents Türkiye’s first-ever export of a military vessel to a country that is both a European Union and NATO member.

The contract for the project was signed on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon following STM’s success in outperforming leading international naval companies during the tender process. After the completion of design activities, the production phase officially began with a steel-cutting ceremony held two months prior. The keel-laying marks the transition from design and preparation to full-scale construction, highlighting the maturity of Türkiye’s naval shipbuilding ecosystem, including project management, shipyard discipline, and local subcontractor capabilities.

High-level civilian and military officials from both Türkiye and Portugal attended the ceremony, emphasizing the strategic importance of the project. Statements delivered during the event underlined that the ships are not merely logistical platforms but symbols of mutual trust, technology sharing, and long-term defense cooperation between the two allied nations. Once commissioned, the vessels are expected to significantly enhance Portugal’s operational reach and contribute positively to NATO’s collective maritime capabilities.

Designed with a modular and multi-role architecture, the AOR+ class ships will be capable of conducting a wide range of missions. These include underway replenishment, logistics support, command and control, amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, medical support, and search and rescue. The vessels will also be able to transport up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles, enabling joint force projection and crisis response missions.

From a technical perspective, the ships will have an overall length of 137 meters and a displacement of approximately 11,000 tons. Powered by diesel engines, they will reach speeds exceeding 18 knots and remain at sea for up to 30 days without resupply. The platforms will feature advanced sensor and weapon systems, including close-in air defense systems, remote-controlled weapon stations, chaff/decoy systems, and integrated communication suites. Additionally, the ships will be equipped with flight decks and hangars to support helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.

STM has also announced that preparations for the second ship are already underway, with block keel-laying planned by mid-2026. The first vessel is scheduled to be launched in 2027, with delivery to the Portuguese Navy expected in 2028. This landmark project further strengthens Türkiye’s position as a reliable and competitive partner in the global defense and naval shipbuilding market.