Turkey Lays Keel Of 1st Naval Support Vessel For Portuguese Navy

The keel of the first naval support ship for the Portuguese Navy was laid in Ada Shipyard in Istanbul this week.

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

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

The ceremony was attended by the defence ministries, commanders of naval forces and air forces of both countries.

The ships will support joint force projection, amphibious operations, and humanitarian missions. They will also accommodate helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, with dedicated hangars for drones.

Their design and communication systems allow them to undertake multiple missions, including command and control functions, medical support, and disaster relief operations.

Apart from offering logistical support, transferring fuel and cargo at sea, the ships can also transport armoured vehicles, thus supporting amphibious missions.

Each ship is equipped with a stern ramp and can carry up to 20 light tactical armoured vehicles.

The ships were approved as part of the Military Programming Law 2023–24, to strengthen Portugal’s naval forces and enable its ships to remain at sea for long periods.

STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz said that work on the second ship will likely begin later this year, and keel-laying is scheduled for June 2026.

The company plans to launch the vessels in 2027 and deliver them to the Portuguese Navy in 2028.