Civil emergency planning and national defence
Without a prepared civil rearguard, there is no credible national defence.

Latest news and stories about national defence in Portugal for expats and residents.
Without a prepared civil rearguard, there is no credible national defence.

A proposal to update or restructure the National Defence Day programme.

Against the backdrop of international tensions, including the war in Iran and the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine, the National Defence Committee is debating seven legislative initiatives aimed at restructuring the Portuguese Armed Forces. Proposals include the creation of a voluntary military reserve by the Chega party, a Socialist Party (PS) plan for a Military Personnel Programming Law, and recommendations from the Liberal Initiative (IL) and Livre to enhance recruitment and update the National Defence Strategic Concept.
Home News Chega proposes new rules for young people military preparation in Portugal Chega proposes new rules for young people military preparation in Portugal The Chega party has submitted a draft resolution recommending that the Government transform National Defence Day into National Defence We
The Superior Council of National Defence met this Tuesday. It was the first meeting of this body convened by the new President of the Republic to discuss the international situation and its impact on national defence.

According to Belém, an assessment of the international situation and its impact on national defence was conducted during the first meeting of this body under the chairmanship of António José Seguro.

The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, António José Seguro, has convened the Superior Council of National Defence for Tuesday, March 31, at 16:00, at the Belém Palace. The information was published this Friday (20) on the Presidency's website, without specifying the reason for the meeting, which is the first since Seguro took office as Head of State on March 9. The Superior Council of National Defence is a consultative body for the President regarding national defence, including overseas military missions and the organisation of the Armed Forces. It includes members of the Government, such as Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, representatives for the autonomous regions, regional presidents of Madeira and the Azores, and military chiefs, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the chairman of the parliamentary Defence Committee, Pedro Pessanha.

Portugal’s President António José Seguro has announced a meeting of the Superior Council of National Defence. A post uploaded to the official site of the presidency this afternoon reads: “The The post President Seguro calls meeting of Superior Council of National Defence appeared first on Portugal Resident.

On Sunday, March 15, a day after being re-elected as PS secretary-general, José Luís Carneiro accused the Government of being unable to address fundamental strategic issues. He cited Defence Minister Nuno Melo's claim that he has been waiting eight months for contributions from Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to finalise the National Defence Strategic Concept. Carneiro, speaking in the Azores, also confirmed he would request a meeting with President António José Seguro and reiterated his party's willingness to seek solutions for the country while criticising the Government's perceived incompetence.
The Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, accused the Government today of an inability to respond to strategic issues, as it has not yet revised the Strategic Concept of National Defence, which the socialists approved in 2023.
The Socialist leader highlighted, however, that the PS had left the Strategic Concept of National Defence approved by the Council of Ministers in 2023.

Criticism from José Luís Carneiro regarding the fact that the Executive has not yet reviewed the Strategic Concept of National Defence, which the socialists approved in 2023.

The Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, accused the Government today of an inability to respond to strategic issues, as it has not yet revised the Strategic Concept of National Defence, which the socialists approved in 2023.

The PS secretary-general said today he hopes the Government will consult the party before commenting on Portugal's participation in the Peace Council, created by Donald Trump, and that it will seek the opinion of the Superior Council for National Defence.

The Minister of National Defence was speaking at a campaign rally for Luís Marques Mendes.
