The keel laying of the future NRP Luís de Camões, the first of two Fleet Refueling and Logistics Ships for the Portuguese Navy, took place today, January 29, at the ADA Shipyard, in Tuzla-Istanbul, Turkey.
The ceremony, chaired by the Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, and the Minister of National Defence of Turkey, Yaşar Güler, was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa, the Secretary of Defence Industries of Turkey, Haluk GÖRGÜN, among other entities.
During the ceremony, the Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, highlighted that “investing in the Navy is investing in the protection of Portugal and the Portuguese.” and that the future Navy ships are “a big step in naval modernization, which will allow us to recover a strategy lost a few years ago.”
The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Nobre de Sousa, underlined that “the Navy is a project under continuous construction and that receiving new ships is always a great moment for Portugal”.
The Navy’s new ships will have as their main functions the transport and resupply at sea of Naval Units with fuel for ships and aircraft, drinking water, general solid cargo and ammunition, in addition to offering diversified logistical support and increased hospital functions for disaster situations.
With a length of 137 metres and a displacement of 11,000 tonnes, these units reach a maximum speed of more than 18 knots and have hybrid propulsion, combining diesel and electric systems.
The garrison will be composed of 50 soldiers, with extra accommodation for another 50 elements and temporary capacity for more than 100 people, showing great flexibility for different types of missions.
These refueling vessels represent a strategic step to strengthen the autonomy and operational capacity of the Portuguese Navy, ensuring greater flexibility in national and international missions.
The delivery of the NRP Luís de Camões is scheduled for April 2028, and the delivery of 12 new ships to the Portuguese Navy is planned by 2030.