Turkey’s Maritime Engineering on the Global Stage

Playing critical roles in projects led by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), STM has reinforced Turkey’s naval vision on a global scale with 44 naval platforms built across 11 different shipyards both domestically and abroad.

With nearly 300 highly qualified engineers, STM boasts one of Turkey’s most capable teams. The company manages the entire process—from design to delivery—for corvettes, frigates, logistic support ships, fast attack crafts, and submarines. Thanks to projects developed with national resources, STM has maximized localization rates in military shipbuilding, reducing foreign dependency in critical systems and strengthening Turkey’s defense ecosystem.

STM’s journey began with Turkey’s national warship program MİLGEM, and today the company has become a trusted partner for navies worldwide. In addition to the Turkish Navy, STM develops surface and submarine platforms for Portugal, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Pakistan, standing out with its production flexibility. By offering the capability to build in customer nations’ own shipyards, STM maximizes local contribution and plays a pioneering role in technology transfer.

Key projects include:

• 4 ADA-Class Corvettes,

• Corvettes for Malaysia and Ukraine,

• The Test and Training Ship TCG UFUK.

In 2024, STM delivered Turkey’s first national frigate, TCG ISTANBUL, and continues the construction of 7 more frigates under the STM-TAİS Joint Venture. The company has also completed the design of Turkey’s first national fast attack craft and has moved into the construction phase.

STM has extended its success in logistic support ships to the global arena. Following deliveries to the Turkish and Pakistani navies, STM achieved a milestone with the construction of two Logistic Support Ships for the Portuguese Navy, marking Turkey’s first military ship export to a European Union and NATO member state.

As Turkey’s leader in submarine engineering, STM undertakes critical roles in modernization and construction projects.

• Provides engineering support for six Reis-Class Submarines built at Gölcük Naval Shipyard.

• Developed Turkey’s first special operations submarine, the STM500, showcasing its expertise.

• Modernized Ay, Preveze, and Gür-class submarines of the Turkish Navy, while also completing Turkey’s first submarine modernization export with Pakistan’s Agosta90B-class submarines.

• Prepares for future naval warfare with the NETA Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, expanding into unmanned systems.

STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz summarized the company’s vision:

“Thanks to the engineering experience gained alongside our Naval Forces and the strategic leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industries, STM’s maritime journey began with the MİLGEM project. This journey has brought significant steps in the development of national naval platforms and Turkey’s maritime ecosystem.”

Today, STM is at the center of 28 shipbuilding projects across 8 shipyards, having successfully managed 44 military platforms in 11 shipyards to date. The company aims to expand its product family of unmanned naval vehicles, developing autonomous systems capable of operating individually or in swarms.

By transforming its national engineering expertise into exports, STM continues to enhance Turkey’s deterrence and international reputation in maritime defense. With its reliability, flexible engineering solutions, rapid delivery, NATO-standard production capabilities, and continuous post-delivery support, STM is recognized as a preferred global defense engineering brand—poised to advance even further in the coming years.