Damen launches multi-purpose ship for Portugal
The Portugese Navy's future multi-purpose ship, seen on launch at Damen's yard in Romania on 7 April 2026. (Portugese Navy)
The Portugese Navy's future multi-purpose ship NRP D. João II , was launched at Damen's Galati yard in Romania on 7 April 2026, the company and the Portugese Navy marked in press releases.
The multi-purpose vessel (MPV, also known by the Portugese navy as a Multifunctional Naval Platform, or Plataforma Naval Multifuncional: PNM), is intended to be able to adapt to varying missions.
It is designed to have an at-sea endurance of 45 days. The Portugese Navy intends the vessel to operate unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems for tasks including oceanographic research, maritime surveillance, and support tasks.
Dom João II will have an estimated full load displacement of 7,000 tonnes, a length of 107.6 m, and a beam of 20 m. The vessel will have 650 m 2 deck space, suitable for the transportation of up to 12 20 ft ISO containers or 18 wheeled vehicles. These could be used to house mission-specific equipment such as hospitals, hyperbaric chambers, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipment. The ship's 94×11 m flight deck allows for the transport and launching of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The D. João II is expected to be commissioned into the Portugese Navy in the first half of 2027.
For more, please see: idD Portugal Defence teams with Damen Shipyards to support Portuguese naval industry
Steel cut and keel laid for Portugal's new multi-purpose ship
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