Turkey’s STM Unveils Multi-Purpose Support Ship at LIMA 2025

Turkey’s STM unveiled its indigenously developed Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MRSS) for the first time internationally at LIMA 2025, presenting a naval platform designed to perform both military and humanitarian missions at sea.

The ship has been developed to address diverse operational demands, from transporting amphibious troops and conducting logistical support to serving as a floating hospital in disaster or conflict zones. STM highlighted that the MRSS was specifically designed in line with the operational needs of the Malaysian Navy, with adaptability at the center of its concept.

According to STM, the MRSS is equipped to support both high-intensity military operations and non-combat missions such as humanitarian aid, evacuation, and disaster relief. It can carry up to 500 amphibious personnel, along with 14 main battle tanks and nine amphibious vehicles. The ship can operate two 15-ton helicopters and has onboard medical units capable of providing full-scale hospital services during crises. It is also designed to support search and rescue operations and evacuation missions even in hazardous environments affected by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats.

The MRSS is 153 meters long and 24 meters wide, with a displacement of 9,700 tons. It can remain at sea for up to 30 days and travel 8,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots, with a top speed exceeding 18 knots. Armed with a 76 mm bow gun, four 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations, and chaff/IR decoy launchers, the ship provides protection while carrying out its missions. It also includes two fast landing craft, two rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and storage for over 600 tons of fuel and 215 tons of fresh water.