On December 17, 2024, the Portuguese Navy and Türkiye’s STM naval solutions company signed a contract for the construction of two replenishment vessels for the Portuguese Navy.
In the Portuguese Navy’s tender for logistics support vessels, STM has been awarded the contract, positioning itself ahead of other international competitors. This agreement marks the first instance of Türkiye exporting military ships to a European Union (EU) and NATO member state through STM.
The contract signing ceremony for the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships took place on 17 December 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. The event was attended by several officials, including Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye; Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy; Carlos Félix from the Portuguese Defence Industries Agency (IdD); Prof. Dr. İhsan Kaya, Vice President at the Secretariat of Defence Industries; Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM; and Haldun Koç, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lisbon, alongside representatives from the Portuguese Ministry of Defence and Navy.
Key Statements
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement, stating: “Today, we are formalizing a contract for two Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships for the Portuguese Navy, marking our first naval procurement collaboration with Portugal. Türkiye’s defence industry has seen significant progress in recent years, expanding not only production capabilities but also exports to allied nations. Strengthening cooperation in defence industries with NATO Allies remains a priority.”
Prof. Görgün also highlighted the potential for further collaboration in areas such as unmanned maritime systems, electronic warfare, and shipbuilding modernization projects.
Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, outlined STM’s ongoing efforts in international naval projects, mentioning their work with Ukraine, Malaysia, and Pakistan. He stated: “These vessels will feature a modular design to meet the operational needs of the Portuguese Navy. With a focus on multi-role capabilities, the ships will support joint force projection, amphibious operations, and replenishment at sea while delivering enhanced speed and cargo capacity.”
Project Details
Under the AOR+ Project (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico – NRE+), STM will serve as the main contractor. The vessels will be constructed in a private Turkish shipyard, with construction set to begin in 2025. STM didn’t disclose which shipyard would build the vessels.
Key features of the vessels include:
- Design and Functionality: The ships will integrate a modular architecture tailored to logistical support, amphibious operations, and cargo transfer at sea. Each vessel will be capable of transporting up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles using an aft vehicle ramp.
- Humanitarian and Crisis Response: The ships will also be equipped for humanitarian assistance, search and rescue operations, and medical missions, providing flexibility in responding to various operational scenarios.
- Operational Capabilities: With a length of 137 meters and a displacement of 11,000 tons, the vessels will operate at a maximum speed of over 18 knots and sustain operations for up to 90 days. Each ship will accommodate 100 personnel and include a helicopter landing platform, UAV hangar, and advanced command-and-control systems.
- Weapon and Sensor Systems: The ships will feature close-in weapon systems, 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon systems, chaff/decoy systems, and advanced sensors to support air defence operations and other principal warfare functions.
Technical Specifications
The Multi-Purpose Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR+) vessels are versatile, joint logistics support ship designed to provide both solid and liquid cargo support to surface platforms during peace and war times.
Main Dimensions
- Length Overall (LOA) : 137.06 m
- Length Waterline (LWL) : 128.76 m
- Breadth (B): 19.10 m
- Design Draught (TDESIGN): 6.70 m
- Displacement (Δ): 11000 tons
General Particulars
- Max. Speed with Diesel Propulsion : 18+ knots
- Max. Speed with Electric Propulsion : 6+ knots
- Cruising Speed : 14 knots
- Range : 14000+ nm at 14 knots speed
- Endurance : 90 days
- Crew : 50 Personnel + Accommodation for 50 additional personnel + Temporary accommodation for 100 pax
Cargo Capacities
- Ammunition
- F-76: 4000 m3
- F-44: 350 m3
- Fresh Water: 650 m3
- General Cargo: 700 m3
- Containers: 6 x 20 ft containers on open deck
Author’s comment
The Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships project is a milestone for Türkiye’s naval export efforts, reflecting growing technical collaboration with NATO Allies. With its expanding shipbuilding and defence industry, Türkiye is increasingly positioned to contribute to European naval initiatives at a time when European nations are prioritizing naval expansion in response to evolving security challenges.
The vessels are expected to enhance the Portuguese Navy’s regional operational capabilities in the Atlantic and support NATO missions. This agreement also paves the way for broader defence cooperation between Türkiye and Portugal, with further opportunities in naval modernization and technology-sharing.
Portugal hosts NATO’s largest unmanned systems exercises, REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger. The partnership between the two nations could open pathways for Türkiye to participate in these exercises with additional units, leveraging its ongoing projects in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Additionally, the Portuguese Navy’s drone-carrier project represents a potential area for collaboration in the future, further strengthening ties between the two countries’ defence industries.
