STM Lays Keel for Portugal’s Second Navy Logistics Support Ship
Turkish shipbuilder STM laid the keel of the second logistics support ship it is building for the Portuguese Navy on October 20, in a ceremony at ADA Shipyard in Istanbul. With this milestone, both vessels in the program are now under construction at the same time, advancing what remains Türkiye’s first-ever military ship export to a country that is both a European Union and NATO member.
The ceremony was attended by Admiral Jorge Manuel Nobre de Sousa, Chief of the Portuguese Navy, Admiral Kadir Yıldız, Commander of the Turkish Fleet, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, and representatives of both navies together with executives from STM and ADA Shipyard.
The second vessel had been planned under the designation N.R.P. D. DINIS. The Portuguese Navy has since renamed it N.R.P. FERNANDO PESSOA (A5212), after one of the country’s most celebrated 20th-century poets.
Work on the lead ship, N.R.P. LUÍS DE CAMÕES, began with a steel-cutting ceremony in November 2025, followed by its own keel laying in January 2026; hull construction and outfitting on that vessel continue. The second ship’s steel was cut on June 18, 2026. Tuesday’s keel-laying puts construction of both ships on parallel timelines for the first time.
STM signed the contract with the Portuguese government in Lisbon on December 17, 2024, having prevailed over several international shipbuilders in the competition. The company aims to launch both vessels in 2027 and hand them over to the Portuguese Navy in 2028.
Speaking at the ceremony, Güleryüz said STM continues to bring to partner and allied nations the experience it has accumulated across 44 naval platform projects at 11 shipyards. He described the Portuguese program as Türkiye’s first military ship export to an EU and NATO member country, and reaffirmed the 2027 launch and 2028 delivery targets.
Admiral Nobre de Sousa said the ship would significantly expand the Portuguese Navy’s operational flexibility, supporting missions ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to power projection and combat operations. He called it “a true force multiplier” that would strengthen Portugal’s support for NATO maritime operations, reinforce interoperability with allies, and deepen the country’s contribution to the collective defense of the Euro-Atlantic area. He described the project as tangible proof of trust and strategic cooperation between two NATO allies.
The ships’ names reflect Portugal’s maritime and literary heritage. The lead vessel honors national poet Luís de Camões, while the second now carries the name of Fernando Pessoa, whose work frequently explored the nation’s seafaring past and cultural identity.
Multi-role design
Designated Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships, the vessels follow a modular design intended to go beyond simple refuelling and resupply at sea. A stern ro-ro ramp lets each ship carry up to 20 light armoured tactical vehicles, enabling support for joint and amphibious operations, while the same modularity allows the vessels to be reconfigured for humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue, or medical missions. An integrated communication system will give each ship command-and-control functions aimed at coordinating fleet activity.
At roughly 137 meters long and displacing more than 11,000 tonnes, the ships will exceed 18 knots and sustain operations at sea for up to 30 days without replenishment. Each will carry a crew of 100 and up to 20 light armoured vehicles. Though configured primarily for anti-air warfare, the design allows the vessels to perform the full range of principal warfare functions, backed by close-in weapon systems, 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon stations, and chaff/decoy systems. Helicopter and UAV operations are supported through a flight deck and a dedicated hangar.
A marker for Turkish naval exports
STM currently manages 44 naval projects spread across 11 shipyards, and frames the Portuguese contract as part of a broader strategy to offer navies worldwide flexible, cost-effective, NATO-compliant naval solutions. The order stands out because it is not a patrol boat or a corvette but a large auxiliary combatant built to NATO specifications for a fellow alliance member, a segment where Turkish shipyards have historically competed against larger European and Asian builders.
The milestone also lands as STM balances this export program alongside its role in domestic efforts such as the MİLGEM and Istanbul-class frigate programs, underlining the company’s capacity to run concurrent naval construction schedules at home and abroad.
Sources
- Naval News, “STM Holds Keel Laying Ceremony for Portugal’s Second Logistics Support Ship,” October 20, 2026 https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/10/stm-holds-keel-laying-ceremony-for-portugals-second-logistics-support-ship/ — used for ceremony details, attendee quotes and technical specifications.
- Defense Talks / Global Defense Insight, “STM Lays Keel for Portugal’s Second Navy Logistics Support Ship,” October 21, 2026 https://defensetalks.com/stm-keel-laying-portugal-second-logistics-support-ship/ — used to corroborate the event and program details.
