STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
The Ada Class is part of Turkey’s MILGEM project, aimed at developing an indigenous corvette. (Photo: STM)
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
STM has no shipyard of its own. Far from being a liability, though, this has become the company’s export weapon.
Speaking exclusively to Shephard at SAHA 2026 in Istanbul, a senior STM official laid out the logic. “Not having a shipyard gives us the flexibility,” the executive said. “We can use any naval shipyard or private shipyard, in Turkey or all over the world. As of now, we are conducting 28 different shipbuilding projects, including submarines, in eight different shipyards all over the world.”
The model is deliberately export-optimised. “It is a good model for potential customer countries if they
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?]()
Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?
New interceptors and launchers could help navies preserve missile stocks during prolonged escort operations. Yet lower engagement costs will only improve merchant protection if the weapons are available where ships need defending.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion]()
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
-
![From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL]()
From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL
From deployable ship defence to autonomous sea and underwater vehicles, ASELSAN is preparing for a new era of naval security.
