Military news in Portugal

Immediate deterrent power is one of Lockheed's trump cards to sell the F-35 to Portugal

Lockheed is highlighting the F-35's ability to act as a rapid deterrent as a key selling point in their bid to supply the aircraft to Portugal.

Reception of the frigate NRP D. Francisco de Almeida upon its return to Portugal after a NATO mission

Ceremonial return of the Portuguese Navy frigate NRP D. Francisco de Almeida following its deployment with NATO forces.

Presidência da República Portuguesa29 Oct

Melo decorates commandos who carried out the 25th of November and anticipates that the left will not like it

On the final day of the general debate on the State Budget, the Minister of Defence confirmed he will decorate the commandos who participated in the 25th of November, both the living and those who have passed away.

First Black Hawk helicopter for the Army has arrived in Portugal

The first Black Hawk helicopter acquired by the Portuguese Army has reached the country.

24 Notícias27 Oct

NRP Mondego case: three military personnel acquitted and court criticises Public Prosecutor's indictment

The court did not find it proven that the military personnel intended to disclose confidential information

NRP Mondego military personnel acquitted of state secret charges

The court ruled that the information sent to the associations was not classified and that the Public Prosecutor's indictment was “ill-considered”. The defence described it as “remarkable intellectual honesty”.

Former military chiefs warn of a "grim outlook" regarding personnel shortages in the Armed Forces

The Independent Strategic Reflection Group (GREI) points out that the personnel crisis “is not new,” but “the outlook is now bleaker and more worrying.”

NATO Military Committee Chair Visits Portugal

Mirage News21 Oct

Navy personnel accused of violating State secrets acquitted

The three Navy personnel accused of violating State secrets, in the case of the Portuguese Republic Ship (NRP) Mondego, have been acquitted today, with the court describing the Public Prosecutor’s The post Navy personnel accused of violating State secrets acquitted appeared first on Portugal Resident.

NRP Mondego: Navy military personnel accused of violating state secrets acquitted

The three Navy military personnel accused of violating state secrets in the NRP Mondego case were acquitted this Wednesday, October 21, with the court describing the Public Prosecution's charges as ill-considered. The presiding judge stated that it was not proven that the military personnel intended to disclose information to the media or compromise state security, noting that the documents in question were not officially classified. This case is distinct from the ongoing separate legal proceedings involving 13 military personnel charged with insubordination for refusing a mission on the same ship.

Air Force has up to 4.4 million euros for inspection and maintenance of F-16s

The Portuguese Air Force has received government approval for approximately 4.4 million euros to perform maintenance on F-16 aircraft, funded by budget allocations for the armed forces branch. The Air Force was also authorised to maintain the simulator for the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre.

Drone exercise: no one can hide in the new war

The Army organised ARTEX26 to test the most advanced technologies and aims to host NATO's largest ground drone exercise in Portugal. Ukrainians present at Santa Margarida say that many European generals have still not grasped how the war has changed.

Salazar, the Americans, and the Lajes

Twice in Washington, plans were drawn up to occupy the Azores, and there was even the slip of referring to the islands as if they were no man's land.

Government to change access criteria to the Armed Forces, distancing itself from PS decree

The Minister of Defence stated that he intends for these tables to reflect the needs of the three branches of the Armed Forces, mirroring in those recruited the criteria and standards of demand linked to the great complexity of the missions that the Armed Forces must also perform.

Nuno Melo to review Armed Forces access criteria

The Minister of Defence announces a new ordinance to replace the one from Helena Carreiras, which was suspended three years ago; the previous version had lowered the minimum height requirement and relaxed the criteria for chronic diseases as grounds for exclusion.

ARTEX26: Portuguese military exercise tests technological innovations in a realistic environment

Portugal is testing the next generation of European defence innovations. The testing and refinement exercise at the Santa Margarida military base brings together the Portuguese Army and various companies.

U.S. Makes F-35 Push As Portugal Weighs F-16 Replacement

TWZ8 Oct

Portugal puts F-35 back under serious consideration after 2025 doubts

Air Data News8 Oct

Amnesty wants Portugal to refuse use of Lajes for "war crimes"

Amnesty International calls for the Portuguese government to prohibit the use of the Lajes Field airbase for operations potentially linked to war crimes.

Jornal de Notícias7 Oct

PS questions Government regarding fitness tables for military personnel

An ordinance approved in 2023 by Helena Carreiras lowered the minimum entry height to 1.54m. Three years later, the order that was supposed to activate it has never been published.

PS questions Government regarding military fitness tables that have been suspended for three years

Socialists also warn that the ordinance provided for a review every five years, three of which have already passed, “without its practical application apparently having been ensured.”

PS questions Government on military fitness tables that have been suspended for three years

The PS highlights that “a decree aimed at expanding the recruitment pool for the Armed Forces in a context of widely recognised recruitment difficulties is at stake,” which originated from “serious technical work, validated by a committee of military health experts.”

Airbus “actively” evaluating renewal of helicopters for Navy frigates

The Portuguese Navy wants to replace the helicopters on its frigates, and Airbus is “actively evaluating this opportunity” and “prepared to present its solution,” says Julien Negrel, Vice President for Western Europe at Airbus Helicopters, to ECO/eRadar. “Airbus is actively evaluating this opportunity. The NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) is...

10-year East/West special: “Portugal is not just integrating into a multinational structure in Romania, it is leading a force of 50 soldiers”

A special report marking the 10th anniversary of East/West relations, highlighting Portugal's leadership role in a 50-strong military contingent in Romania.

Army gains 67 more sergeants. General asks them to "lead and care"

They joined the permanent staff after two years of training.

Seguro addresses officers. "The country needs leaders who know how to decide when there are no easy answers"

The President of the Republic addressed the new Army officers at the Military Academy in Lisbon.

Seguro: "The battlefield has become multidimensional"

At the Military Academy in Lisbon, António José Seguro argued that Portugal needs officers who are “technically and intellectually, but above all morally capable” for modern challenges.

6 PM. President highlights officers' preparedness in the face of wars

The President presented the swords (a symbol of military authority) to the new officers of the Army's Permanent Staff this afternoon. Additionally, the PSD spokesperson is not concerned about the AD's position in the polls.