Türkiye’s STM unveils Multi-Role Support Ship MRSS for Malaysian Navy.

On May 20, 2025, Türkiye’s leading naval defense company STM presented its new Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia. The MRSS, unveiled for the first time, is being offered as a potential solution to meet the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) need for modern amphibious capabilities. Designed to support a broad range of operations from amphibious assaults to humanitarian missions, STM’s MRSS represents a significant opportunity to modernize Malaysia’s naval fleet.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

STM’s presentation of the MRSS at LIMA 2025 highlights Türkiye’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific defense market (Picture source: STM)

Measuring 153 meters in length and 24 meters in beam, with a full-load displacement of 9,700 tons, the MRSS is an amphibious assault vessel developed for expeditionary warfare and logistics support in both peacetime and conflict. It offers an endurance of 30 days and a range of over 8,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots, with a top speed exceeding 18 knots. Capable of transporting 14 main battle tanks, 9 amphibious assault vehicles, 500 embarked troops, and operating two 15-ton helicopters from its flight deck and hangar, the vessel brings enhanced flexibility to naval operations.

The MRSS also includes 2 Landing Craft Utility (LCU), 2 10-meter RHIBs with davits, a tank deck of 800 m², and a total fuel capacity of 630 tons. In terms of self-defense, it is armed with a 76mm main gun, four 12.7mm remote-controlled stabilized weapon systems, and two chaff/IR decoy launchers. This comprehensive suite of capabilities positions the MRSS as both a warfighting and humanitarian support asset, suited for disaster relief, evacuation, medical operations, and command and control missions.

STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz emphasized at LIMA 2025 that the MRSS was specifically designed to meet the operational needs of the RMN. He noted that STM had begun construction in Türkiye on three corvettes for the RMN as part of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch-2 program. Güleryüz stated, “With high operational flexibility, the MRSS can efficiently carry out both amphibious and logistical missions. It enhances naval readiness across a wide range of missions from combat operations to humanitarian response.”

The offer to Malaysia comes as STM builds on its solid record of exporting naval platforms to countries including Portugal, Ukraine, and Pakistan. The MRSS is designed to significantly enhance Malaysia’s current amphibious and sealift capacity, which relies on older platforms such as the Sri Indera Sakti-class support ships commissioned in the 1980s. The proposed vessel offers a considerable leap in transport volume, endurance, and mission versatility.

With its ability to project military force and support regional humanitarian and disaster relief operations, the MRSS is aligned with Malaysia’s maritime security goals, particularly in the contested waters of the South China Sea. Its introduction into RMN service would mark a strategic evolution, contributing to regional stability through enhanced naval mobility and operational readiness.

STM’s presentation of the MRSS at LIMA 2025 highlights Türkiye’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific defense market. As Malaysia evaluates options to reinforce its naval fleet, the MRSS stands out as a technologically advanced and mission-ready platform that reflects both Türkiye’s industrial maturity and its commitment to strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.