Turkey’s STM targets Southeast Asian market with new ship design

ISTANBUL — Turkish defense firm STM unveiled its new Multi-Role Support Ship design at this year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia (LIMA 2025), underscoring Ankara’s efforts to expand its naval footprint and defense partnerships in Southeast Asia.

The MRSS is designed to perform a wide array of missions including amphibious operations, maritime logistics, humanitarian assistance, and search and rescue. The vessel is also equipped to operate as a hospital ship – reflecting Turkey’s emphasis on developing platforms with broad utility across both combat and non-combat missions.

The unveiling comes as STM deepens its involvement in the region. In 2023, the company began construction of three Ada-class corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy under the LMS Batch-2 program, with work taking place at Turkish shipyards.

“This is our first time showcasing the MRSS at LIMA,” STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz said at the event. “The platform is specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of the Royal Malaysian Navy. It offers versatile solutions for modern naval operations.”

The 153-meter-long vessel has a beam of 24 meters and displaces approximately 9,700 tons. It is engineered for extended missions, with an endurance of 30 days and a cruising range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. It can reach speeds above 18 knots.

The MRSS can accommodate a core crew of 150 personnel along with up to 500 embarked troops. Its 800-square-meter tank deck allows for the transport of up to 14 main battle tanks and nine amphibious assault vehicles. The vessel can also operate two 15-ton helicopters from its flight deck and hangar, and deploy two 10-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) using A-type davits. It carries 630 tons of fuel and 215 tons of freshwater, ensuring logistical autonomy during long deployments.

Armaments include a 76mm main gun, four 12.7mm remote-controlled stabilized weapon stations, and two chaff and infrared decoy launchers.

The pitch aligns with Turkey’s growing focus on Asian defense markets. In 2023, sales to Asian countries — excluding those in the Commonwealth of Independent States — accounted for 16% of Turkey’s total defense and aerospace exports, valued at nearly $1 billion, according to government figures.

The Turkish navy dispatched the Ada-class corvette TCG Büyükada to the exhibition. The vessel departed Foça Naval Base on April 19 and is scheduled to remain on deployment through mid-July, visiting multiple regional ports en route.

According to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the mission aims to bolster defense ties with regional partners, enhance the Turkish Navy’s international visibility, and promote the country’s defense industry abroad.

Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with one son.

伊斯坦布尔——土耳其国防公司STM在今年的马来西亚兰卡威国际海事和航空航天展览会（LIMA 2025）上推出了其新型多用途支援舰设计，凸显了安卡拉为扩大其在东南亚的海军影响力和国防伙伴关系所做的努力。

该型多用途支援舰（MRSS）设计用于执行多种任务，包括两栖作战、海上后勤、人道主义援助以及搜救。该舰还具备作为医院船的功能——这体现了土耳其重视发展可在作战和非作战任务中广泛应用的平台。

此次亮相正值STM进一步深化其在该地区的业务之际。2023年，该公司根据LMS Batch-2项目，开始为马来西亚皇家海军建造三艘Ada级轻型护卫舰，建造工作在土耳其的造船厂进行。

“这是我们首次在兰卡威国际海事展（LIMA）上展示MRSS平台，”STM总经理Özgür Güleryüz在活动上表示。“该平台专为满足马来西亚皇家海军的作战需求而设计，可为现代海军作战提供多功能解决方案。”

这艘长153米、宽24米、排水量约9700吨的舰艇专为执行远距离任务而设计，续航力可达30天，以14节航速巡航时续航里程超过8000海里，最高航速可达18节以上。

该型多用途支援舰（MRSS）可容纳150名核心船员以及多达500名随舰部队。其800平方米的坦克甲板可运输多达14辆主战坦克和9辆两栖突击车。该舰还可在其飞行甲板和机库中操作两架15吨级直升机，并使用A型吊艇架部署两艘10米长的硬壳充气艇（RHIB）。该舰携带630吨燃料和215吨淡水，确保在长期部署期间的后勤自主性。

武器装备包括一门76毫米主炮、四个12.7毫米遥控稳定武器站和两个箔条和红外诱饵发射器。

这一策略与土耳其日益重视亚洲国防市场的战略相契合。据政府数据显示，2023年，土耳其对亚洲国家（不包括独联体国家）的出口额占其国防和航空航天出口总额的16%，价值近10亿美元。

土耳其海军派遣阿达级轻型护卫舰“大卡达”号（TCG Büyükada）参加此次展览。该舰于4月19日离开福卡海军基地，预计将持续部署至7月中旬，期间将访问多个区域港口。

根据土耳其国防部的一份声明，此次任务旨在加强与地区伙伴的防务关系，提升土耳其海军的国际知名度，并在海外推广该国的国防工业。

杰姆·德夫里姆·亚伊拉利是《防务新闻》驻土耳其记者。他热衷于拍摄军舰，并对海军和国防议题充满热情。他出生于法国巴黎，现居土耳其伊斯坦布尔。他已婚，育有一子。