The contract was finalised during a ceremony in Lisbon attended by high-level representatives, including Türkiye’s Secretary of Defence Industries, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, and Portugal’s Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo. The project highlights STM’s success in outcompeting some of the world’s foremost naval shipbuilders with a design and engineering solution tailored to meet the Portuguese Navy’s operational needs.
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün described the agreement as a landmark moment in Turkish-Portuguese defence relations, stating, “Türkiye, which is one of the 10 countries in the world that manufactures its own warship, has now started to produce these products as well as export them to our friendly and allied countries. Developing strong defence and defence industry cooperation with our NATO Allies is a top priority for Türkiye.”
The collaboration is expected to strengthen ties between Türkiye and Portugal, paving the way for further cooperation in naval modernisation, unmanned maritime vehicles, and electronic warfare systems.
The two AOR+ vessels, to be constructed in a Turkish shipyard starting in 2025, will feature an innovative modular design and multi-role functionality. STM’s General Manager, Özgür Güleryüz, highlighted the ships’ capabilities: “The vessels will be capable of conducting joint force projection, amphibious operations, and replenishment at sea. They will boast greater speed and cargo capacity compared to ships of similar size.”
The ships, measuring 137 metres in length and displacing 11,000 tonnes, will be equipped for air defence operations, humanitarian missions, and medical support. They will carry up to 20 light tactical armoured vehicles and operate continuously at sea for up to 90 days.
With this project, STM strengthens its role in the international defence market, already demonstrated through projects in Pakistan, Ukraine, and Malaysia. Güleryüz expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This milestone also represents Türkiye’s first naval ship export to an EU and NATO member country, marking a significant achievement in our defence industry.”
The vessels will support Portugal’s regional operations in the Atlantic and NATO missions, contributing to enhanced cooperation between Türkiye and its NATO allies. Designed with integrated communication systems, the ships will ensure effective fleet coordination and feature advanced weapon and sensor systems, helicopter landing platforms, and UAV hangars.
