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Türkiye laid the keel for the first of two Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment and Logistics Support Ships being built for the Portuguese Navy on Thursday, marking the country's first military vessel export to an EU and NATO member state.
The keel laying ceremony at Ada Shipyard in Istanbul was attended by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo, Defense Industries Presidency Chairman Haluk Gorgun, STM General Manager Ozgur Guleryuz, ambassadors from both countries, and representatives of the Portuguese and Turkish navies.
"The shipbuilding process we are witnessing today at the keel laying ceremony is both a concrete sign of cooperation between our two countries and a valuable step toward making our relations lasting and forward-looking," Guler said.
"At the same time, this project is a great gain in terms of experience and technology sharing for Türkiye and Portugal, both of which have maritime traditions," he added.
This year marks the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
STM signed the contract for the Naval Replenishment and Logistics Support Ship Project on Dec. 17, 2024, in Lisbon. Following the contract, design activities were completed and construction began with a steel-cutting ceremony in mid-November 2025.
Both AOR+ ships are planned for delivery to the Portuguese Navy by 2028.
The first ship has been named NRP Luis de Camoes (A5211).
Presidency of Defense Industries Chairman Haluk Gorgun said the two countries were witnessing an important milestone in their relations.
"As two Mediterranean countries with deep-rooted maritime traditions, our connection to the sea defines our history and future. This project is a bright symbol of our defense industry cooperation," he said.
The Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler emphasized that Türkiye's accumulated maritime technology expertise spans a wide range from the MILGEM project to TCG Anadolu, and from the TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer to the MILDEN National Submarine program.
"It is developing more every day with design integration, systems engineering and serial production disciplines," he said.
He noted that when these ships enter service, they will further advance the Portuguese Navy's peace, stability and crisis management capacity while also making positive contributions to NATO's joint capabilities.
"The production of two ships with such superior qualities at Ada Shipyard in Türkiye clearly demonstrates the distinguished level our defense industry has reached and our country's shipbuilding capabilities," he added.
Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo said the ships represent a major step in the Portuguese Navy's modernization.
"These ships represent a big step in the modernization of our navy. This modernization is taking shape here today. I want to thank everyone involved in this important initiative," Melo said.
Melo noted the project reflects trust between the Turkish and Portuguese navies and defense industries, adding that cooperation between allies develops through industrial partnerships.
During his visit to Türkiye, focused on military innovation, the defense industry, and diversifying strategic partnerships, Minister Melo also visited Baykar.
"We are perhaps at one of the largest companies in the world producing large-scale unmanned aerial vehicles using autonomous artificial intelligence in different multi-purpose models. What is seen here is advanced technology that is among the best in the world," Melo said.
Melo emphasized the importance of military interoperability and the quality of equipment among NATO allies.
"We cannot be in NATO and think that NATO allies are something else. Türkiye is a very important member of NATO. I see no reason for a dogmatic view. If NATO needs to enter a conflict, all allies are important," Melo said.
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