Turkey’s STM lays the keel of the first ship for the Portuguese navy

ANKARA — The keel of the first naval support vessel for the Portuguese sea service was laid in Ada Shipyard in Istanbul this week.

Turkish shipbuilder STM had signed a contract to build two Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) and Logistics Support Ships in Lisbon on Dec. 17, 2024.

This marked Turkey’s first military ship export to a European Union and NATO member state.

The keel-laying ceremony was attended by the defense ministers, commanders of naval forces and air forces of both nations.

Designed to support joint force projection, amphibious operations and humanitarian missions, the ships will also include facilities for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with dedicated hangars for drones. Their modular design and integrated communication systems enable multi-mission adaptability, including command and control functions, medical support and disaster relief.

In addition to providing logistical support, transferring fuel and cargo at sea, the ships will have the capacity to transport armored vehicles, enabling them to support joint and amphibious operations. With a stern ramp, each vessel will be capable of carrying up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles.

The ships were approved as part of the Military Programming Law 2023–24, with the aim of strengthening Portugal’s naval forces and enabling its vessels to remain at sea for longer periods.

Speaking at the ceremony, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz stated that the construction of the second ship is planned to start later this year, with keel laying scheduled by June 2026. STM aims to launch the ships in 2027 and deliver them to the Portuguese Navy in 2028.

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.

安卡拉——本周，葡萄牙海军第一艘支援舰在伊斯坦布尔的阿达造船厂举行了龙骨铺设仪式。

土耳其造船企业 STM 于 2024 年 12 月 17 日在里斯本签署了一份建造两艘辅助油料补给舰（AOR）和后勤支援舰的合同。

这标志着土耳其首次向欧盟和北约成员国出口军舰。

两国国防部长、海军司令、空军司令出席了奠基仪式。

这些舰艇旨在支持联合部队投送、两栖作战和人道主义救援任务，还将配备直升机和无人机（UAV）设施，并设有专用无人机机库。其模块化设计和集成通信系统使其能够适应多种任务，包括指挥控制、医疗支援和灾害救援。

除了提供后勤支援、海上燃料和货物转运外，这些舰艇还具备运输装甲车辆的能力，从而能够支援联合作战和两栖作战。每艘舰艇都配备船尾跳板，最多可搭载20辆轻型战术装甲车辆。

这些舰艇是根据 2023-24 年军事规划法批准建造的，目的是加强葡萄牙海军力量，使其舰艇能够在海上停留更长时间。

在仪式上，STM总经理厄兹居尔·居莱里尤兹表示，第二艘舰艇的建造计划于今年晚些时候开始，龙骨铺设计划于2026年6月进行。STM的目标是在2027年下水，并在2028年交付给葡萄牙海军。

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。