Europe: Defense policy news in Portugal

From Brussels ambiguity to the urgency of 2030

Defend yourselves. But not like this!

The Trump administration wants Europe to spend more on defence, but also wants it to buy American weaponry. Meanwhile, European governments are paying billions of euros for military equipment, including arms destined for Ukraine, without any guarantee of timely delivery from the United States. Europe must hold its ground, expand its defence industry, and buy the time that Ukraine needs to survive, because European security cannot remain dependent on electoral priorities in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, or Michigan.

Shortage of military personnel is "serious", say former chiefs, calling for a body to address salary issues

The Independent Strategic Reflection Group considers it “disturbing” that “not a word” is mentioned regarding human resources in SAFE, the European defence loan programme.

NATO underscores Portugal's critical eastern flank contributions

The Brussels Times22 Oct

Cyprus asks EU to put mutual defense back on the agenda

“Given the gravity of the challenges we face, Cyprus would welcome the resumption of discussions," the country's president wrote in a letter seen by POLITICO.

Marco Rubio: "If Portugal thinks the F-35s are the best choice, that will be the decision. It won't be us imposing that"

US Senator Marco Rubio stated that the choice of F-35 fighter jets is entirely up to Portugal and will not be forced by the United States.

Jornal de Negócios8 Oct

Seguro insists on the purchase of European defense technology and suggests EU coordination on aircraft models

The President of the Republic addressed the topic of EU defense autonomy on the day the US Secretary of State visits Portugal.

Kubilius: Russian attack on arms factory would trigger NATO military response

Moscow has warned that weapons factories in European countries that produce arms for Ukraine are “potential military targets for Russia.”

Europe was left without an umbrella for defence

António Figueiredo Lopes warns that Europe woke up late to defence and rejects mandatory military service. He also warns of the difficulty of reforming the State within short political cycles.

We remain unpleasantly behind in how we prepare for war

José Azeredo Lopes, a commentator for CNN Portugal, believes that Europe, after four and a half years of total war between Ukraine and Russia, has already had more than enough time to prepare for a large-scale conflict.

Finland to join nuclear deterrence proposed by France

Finland has decided to join the nuclear deterrence proposed in March by French President Emmanuel Macron to European countries, the two nations announced today in a joint statement.

Europe will not be able to sustain a prolonged war with Russia

At a summit organised by the Munich Security Conference, NATO officials expressed pessimism regarding the European continent's preparedness for a potential open war with Russia.

Portugal wants to triple its presence in the 280,000 euro European defence megapackage

The Portuguese government aims to increase its participation in the European Union's defence funding initiative.

Now Canal4 Sept

Return of military service? "It seems taboo to think about it"

Francisco Proença Garcia believes that the war in Ukraine should lead to a reflection on new models of military service, noting that several countries in Europe have been taking steps in that direction.

EU foreign policy chief calls on countries to send near-expiry interceptor missiles to Ukraine

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has urged countries with air defence interceptor missiles nearing their expiry date to donate them to Ukraine. The appeal was made on Tuesday, September 1st, during an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Wicklow, Ireland. Kallas highlighted that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilians and that air defence remains the top priority. The EU is also engaging with non-member states to secure additional interceptors while working with Kyiv to develop European-made alternatives. Other topics on the ministers' agenda include space and maritime security, the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, and potential support for the Lebanese armed forces.

European E3+ needed

European security and cohesion require an 'E3+'.

Europe is facing a "very serious problem" and "many allies are in denial"

Manuel Serrano, a commentator for CNN Portugal, warns that the issue of a shortage of interceptor missiles is “widespread” across several European countries: “We are not investing as we should.”

Ideological blindness and European strategic infantilisation

Two recent, seemingly unrelated events highlight Europe's structural inability to maintain a realistic and sovereign approach to its own defence. The British Royal Navy discovered Chinese-made components in elite maritime drones that were transmitting diagnostic data to servers in China, exposing a failure in supply chain security. Meanwhile, the Irish government suspended the use of Israeli military technology for ideological reasons, inadvertently grounding its own government aircraft by disabling essential thermal sensors. These cases reflect a broader strategic illiteracy in European capitals, where political posturing and moral exhibitionism are prioritised over operational security and hard power, leaving the continent dangerously exposed in an increasingly volatile world.

Portuguese F-16s end Baltic mission as leaders warn of Russian threat

Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo travels to Estonia on Thursday as Portugal concludes a four-month NATO air-policing mission amid warnings that Russia could test the alliance’s eastern defences. Melo will The post Portuguese F-16s end Baltic mission as leaders warn of Russian threat appeared first on Portugal Resident.

United States begins analysis of military presence in Europe

“It will be a true review, designed to ensure that NATO moves quickly and irreversibly,” explained Elbridge Colby.

United States begins review of military presence in Europe

The United States announced on Monday the start of a reassessment of its military presence in Europe, following statements to that effect made by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in June during a NATO meeting.

Macron: Europe is becoming a "superpower" ready to "shed blood" for peace

The French president made a call to arms this Monday while addressing the French armed forces. He stated that Europeans are orchestrating a “strategic awakening” and building “new capabilities in Europe” in the service of peace, “even if it means shedding blood.”

NATO must plan for its 'Europeanisation', say analysts

China, climate, women and dates: analysts identify absences in the Ankara communiqué and warn that the 'Europeanisation' of NATO raises questions that remain unanswered.

Europe 2030: anticipating the unthinkable and ensuring peace

The NATO summit in Ankara has made it impossible to ignore the possibility of Russian aggression against European territory by the end of the decade. Europe must build a real, coordinated, and autonomous defense capacity, as the US security umbrella can no longer be considered an automatic guarantee. The Kremlin's strategic vision is driven by regime survival and historical resentment rather than rational economic logic. To prevent a scenario where Russia tests NATO's cohesion through surgical strikes or rapid, limited territorial incursions, Europe must adopt strategic ambiguity, invest in its armed forces, and demonstrate credible deterrence. Preparing for the unthinkable is not an act of warmongering, but a necessary condition for maintaining peace.

Portugal leads, but wants to wait before joining NATO satellites

Portugal is currently in a leading position regarding the initiative but prefers to delay its formal entry into the NATO satellite programme.

NATO/Summit: Portugal and 11 other countries commit to strengthening the Alliance's maritime security

Portugal joins 11 other nations in a pledge to bolster maritime security measures within the NATO framework.

Can Europe defend itself without Donald Trump's support?

Francisco Pereira Coutinho states that Europe must create defence plans without relying on the USA. He also adds that EU membership is more realistic for Ukraine than joining NATO.

Portugal arrives at NATO summit meeting the 2% target and betting on Alliance unity

This summit takes place at a time of tension between Europe and the United States of America, with the US administration scaling back its investment within the Atlantic Alliance.

What "NATO 3.0"?

What “NATO 3.0” will emerge from this summit on July 7-8 in Turkey?