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Turkey to export first naval vessels to EU NATO member

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Turkish defense contractor STM has entered the European Union’s naval market with a military ship export deal signed with Portugal, an EU member and NATO ally for the first time, officials from both countries announced on Tuesday, according to a statement on the STM website.

This agreement marks the first time Turkey has inked a deal to produce a naval vessel for export to an EU and NATO member country, a significant milestone in Turkey’s defense industry.

STM is a Turkish defense company, operating in the civil, public and private sectors.

Ankara-based STM Defense Technologies is the primary contractor for the manufacture of two auxiliary oiler replenishment and logistics vessels for the Portuguese Navy by 2028 in the contract, recently signed in Lisbon. Work on the ships is expected to begin in 2025.

The signing ceremony, held on December 17, brought together STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, head of Turkey’s Presidency of the Defense Industry Haluk Görgün, Portugal’s Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Carlos Felix of the Portuguese Defense Industries Agency, and Turkey’s Ambassador to Lisbon Haldun Koç.

“Turkey is one of the 10 countries in the world that manufactures its own warships, and now we are exporting them to friendly nations,” Görgün said. He also noted the rapid growth of Turkey’s defense industry and talked about the significance of the agreement as the country’s first defense procurement project with Portugal. “Developing strong defense and defense industry cooperation with NATO allies is a top priority for Turkey,” he said.

Illustration of the auxiliary oiler replenishment and logistics ship that STM will build for the Portuguese Navy (STM image)

The vessels, measuring 137 meters in length with a displacement of 11,000 tons and a maximum speed of over 18 knots, will be capable of operating continuously at sea for up to 90 days.

Each ship will accommodate 100 personnel and transport up to 20 light tactical armored vehicles. Equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, the ships will primarily support air defense operations while being capable of engaging in all principal warfare functions.

The vessels feature close-in weapon systems, 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon systems and chaff/decoy systems, alongside a range of advanced sensors. For helicopter operations, the ships include a landing platform for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as a UAV hangar.

These advanced capabilities ensure the ships are well-suited for a range of missions, from combat to humanitarian and logistical support.

Adm. Gouveia e Melo said there is the potential for greater defense collaboration between Turkey and Portugal, particularly in the areas of maritime and unmanned systems.

“These collaborations can help both nations reach new markets and contribute to their economies, technological sovereignty and capacities as allied countries,” stressing the strategic and economic benefits of the partnership.

The two auxiliary oiler replenishment and logistics vessels for Portugal are expected to significantly enhance the Portuguese Navy’s regional operations in the Atlantic and bolster NATO missions. These ships are expected to reinforce defense cooperation between Turkey and its NATO allies.

Defense analyst and former naval officer Fatih Yurtsever, using a pseudonym due to security concerns, said that the deal shows Turkey’s expanding technical collaboration with NATO allies, particularly as European nations focus on naval modernization and expansion.

“The agreement could lead to broader cooperation, particularly in Portugal’s drone programs,” Yurtsever said, adding, “The Portuguese Navy’s drone-carrier project also represents a potential area for future collaboration.”

STM has been involved in similar projects, including providing the fleet tanker PNS MOAWIN for the Pakistani Navy since 2018 and two logistics support ships for the Turkish Navy that have participated in NATO missions.

The company also launched a new family of uncrewed underwater vehicles at the SAHA EXPO 2024 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, held on October 22–26.

STM also this month began steel cutting for the first of three ADA-class corvettes commissioned by the Royal Malaysian Navy, marking a strategic shift from China’s Keris-class corvettes to Turkey’s cutting-edge designs. Experts say this transition shows STM’s growing competitive edge in the global naval market.

 

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