The Turkish defense industry has signed an agreement to build two Maritime Replenishment and Logistics Support Ships for the Portuguese Navy. This agreement marks the latest stage in defense industry cooperation between Portugal and Turkey, and represents Türkiye's first export of military vessels to a European Union and NATO member country.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Lisbon, hosted by the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Navy, Admiral Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo. The ceremony brought together defense industry leaders, admirals, and officers.
STM (Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc.) will be responsible for producing these ships, specifically designed for the Portuguese Navy. These projects are designed to support Portugal's naval power and enhance its operational capabilities at sea. This agreement strengthens bilateral ties between Portugal and Türkiye and represents the foundation for a long-term partnership.
The agreement stipulates that these ships, designed to enhance the operational capacity of the Portuguese Navy, will be specially equipped for refueling, transporting ammunition and other logistical supplies. These vessels will be 120-180 meters long, 20-30 meters wide, and have a displacement of 10,000 to 20,000 tons. They will have a speed of 15-20 knots and a high range. They will be equipped with modern navigation, communication, and command and control systems, and will also have helipads or hangars for helicopter operations.
Turkey is making progress in its defense industry by utilizing its own resources and technology to increase its independence. This agreement can be considered a strong indicator of Türkiye's progress in defense technology and its recognition on the international stage. Projects such as the Altay Main Battle Tank, Bayraktar TB2 UAV, and Hürjet are seen as a reflection of Türkiye's progress and independence in defense technology.
