Victor Barreira, Lisbon - Jane's International Defence Review
05 December 2019
The Portuguese Army is to carry out a mid-life update project for its Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks (MBTs) to extend the fleets’ life and modernise several subsystems, a source at the Army High-Staff's Forces Planning Division told Jane's.
The plan, in line with the country's Military Programming Law 2019–2030, is to carry out a EUR46.027 million upgrade from 2026 to 2030, comprising EUR2 million in 2026, EUR4 million in 2027, EUR12.027 million in 2028, EUR12.5 million in 2029, and EUR15.5 million in 2030.
The source said the project encompasses installing a driver’s passive thermal imaging camera suite to improve front and rear-view during manoeuvres; air conditioning unit to cool electronics in the turret and improve crew endurance; auxiliary power unit (APU) to deal with the increased power demand and deliver continuous power supply; new fire extinguishing system in the driver and combat compartments; ultracaps in the electrical suite to mitigate harmful electrical discharges; and an electric gun, turret control, and drive system with digital stabilisation.
The Portuguese government released the country’s budget bill on 16 December, which includes EUR2,445.7 million (USD2,721.2 million) for defence, a 23.1% increase from EUR1,987.4 million in 2019.
EUR564.2 million will go to the army, EUR447.1 million to the air force, EUR485.8 million to the navy, and EUR142 million to the general staff. In addition, EUR315 million was allocated for procurement, EUR7.6 million for technical co-operation, EUR13.5 million for research, and EUR60 million for foreign military operations.
Among the aims of the 2020 defence budget is to prepare the armed forces for the next decade and to boost the defence industry through co-operative programmes, including the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in defence and the European Defence Fund.
Sujet: Re: Forças Armadas Portuguesas/Portuguese Armed Forces Sam 18 Jan 2020 - 12:24
ASTAN
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Sujet: Re: Forças Armadas Portuguesas/Portuguese Armed Forces Mer 29 Jan 2020 - 21:13
Citation :
HELI-EXPO 2020
Safran signe un contrat de maintenance pour les moteurs des hélicoptères EH101 Merlin portugais Cyril Abad-Safran Helicopter Engines
29/01/2020 18:19 | Antony Angrand
Safran signe un contrat de maintenance pour les moteurs des hélicoptères EH101 Merlin portugais
Safran Helicopter Engines a signé un contrat de 10 ans avec la Force aérienne portugaise (Força Aérea Portuguesa) pour réaliser la maintenance des moteurs RTM322 de ses hélicoptères EH101 Merlin. Un total de 38 moteurs va bénéficier du contrat de soutien Global Support Package (GSP) de Safran.
Cet accord répond aux souhaits de la Force aérienne portugaise garantissant ainsi une disponibilité optimale de ses moteurs, durant ses opérations sur le territoire national et à l’étranger. « Nous misons beaucoup sur ce contrat qui va garantir la disponibilité de nos moteurs durant nos opérations » a déclaré le général de corps d'armée Cartaxo Alves, de la Force aérienne portugaise.
Avec le contrat GSP, les opérateurs sont assurés de disposer de moteurs opérationnels quand ils en ont besoin, tout en ayant des garanties en matière de budget prévisionnel, de coûts fixes à l’heure de vol et de partenariat technique avec le constructeur.
GSP fait partie de la gamme EngineLife Services, les offres de services de Safran pour les moteurs d’hélicoptères.
Portuguese Super Lynx Mk 95A helicopter performs first flight
Victor Barreira, Lisbon - Jane's Navy International
20 February 2020
The Portuguese Navy’s first modified Super Lynx Mk 95A shipborne helicopter has made its first test flight, the service announced on 18 February.
The first test flight of a modernised Portuguese Super Lynx Mk 95A helicopter took place on 14 February. (Portuguese Navy)
Work to modernise and extend the lives of the navy’s fleet of five Super Lynx Mk 95 helicopters is being carried out by Leonardo Helicopters at its facility in Yeovil, United Kingdom, under a contract awarded in July 2016 worth an estimated EUR69 million (USD76.4 million).
The first modernised helicopter, which completed its initial test flight on 14 February, will be delivered to Portugal in early May, with the fifth expected to be handed over in late 2021, the navy told Jane’s .
The modernisation package includes the replacement of the original Rolls-Royce Gem 42 engines with more powerful LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshafts.
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Sujet: Re: Forças Armadas Portuguesas/Portuguese Armed Forces Sam 14 Mar 2020 - 21:25
Citation :
Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 2019 to 2019 Note: The ‘No. delivered’ and the ‘Year(s) of deliveries’ columns refer to all deliveries since the beginning of the contract. The ‘Comments’ column includes publicly reported information on the value of the deal. Information on the sources and methods used in the collection of the data, and explanations of the conventions, abbreviations and acronyms, can be found at URL .
Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database Information generated: 14 March 2020
Brazil R: Portugal 5 C-390 Transport aircraft 2019 $920 m deal (incl 12 years support and production of components in Portugal); delivery planned 2023-2027
Denmark R: Portugal 5 StanFex-300 Patrol craft 2014 2016-2018 4 Second-hand; EUR4 m deal (modernized in Portugal after deliverey for EUR28 m); Portugese designation Tejo
Finland R: Portugal 12 W-12 Diesel engine (2002) 2010-2019 8 For 6 Viana do Castelo (NPO-2000) OPV produced in Portugal
Italy R: Portugal 5 AW119 Koala Light helicopter 2018 2019 (2) EUR20 m deal; option on 2 more; from US production line; AW119Kx version; delivery planned 2019-2020
Spain R: Portugal 139 VAMTAC BN3 APV 2018 2019 (50) EUR61 m deal; VAMTAC ST-5 version; delivery planned 2019-2020
United States R: Portugal (3) F-16C FGA aircraft (2013) 2019 (1) Second-hand F-16A Block-15 version (incl 1 F-16B version) rebuilt to F-16AM (F-16C) in Portugal with kits from USA RIM-162 ESSM Block-2 SAM (2014) For modernized MEKO-200 (Vasco da Gama) frigates; selected 2014 but probably not yet ordered by end-2018 (10) V2500 Turbofan (2017) For 5 C-390 transport aircraft from Brazil
The Portuguese Army is seeking to acquire 4x4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme starting in 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Manuel dos Santos Camilo, head of the capabilities branch of the army general staff's force planning division, told Jane’s on 3 April.
Portugal plans to procure 250 JLTVs. (Jane’s/Daniel Wasserbly)
The JLTV acquisition effort, which is currently in its initial phase, is for 250 air-transportable multi-role vehicles in troop transport and ambulance configurations.
EUR79 million (USD86 million) was allocated in 2019 to the revised Portuguese Military Programming Law for the acquisition of JLTVs by 2030 for further army modernisation.
However, the total number of vehicles to be procured is currently under review and a final figure is to be set up by June, with other vehicle configurations being considered, Lt Col Camilo said.
Portugal has already received price and availability information concerning a potential JLTV buy.
The JLTV is intended to gradually replace unprotected tactical 4x4s, such as the Land Rover Defender series and the Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73LV.
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Sujet: Re: Forças Armadas Portuguesas/Portuguese Armed Forces Ven 22 Mai 2020 - 20:43
Citation :
Victor Barreira / Defence 360° @Defence360 · 19 mai
The Special Operations Force (Força de Operações Especiais) of the Portuguese Army has received additional 5.56x45mm Heckler & Koch HK416A5 assault rifles. The force previously received the weapon type in 16.5", 11" and 14.5" barrel length versions.
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FN Herstal Minimim Mk3 5.56mm light machine gun is now in service with Portuguese Army
Defense News August 2020 Global Security army industry Posted On Monday, 17 August 2020 09:15
According to a Tweet released by Defence 360° on August 15, 2020, the Portuguese Army already took delivery of approximately 200 Belgian FN Herstal MINIMI Mk3 5.56x45mm light machine guns. A total of 830 MINIMI Mk3 5.56x45mm weapons were purchased in 2019 through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
Portuguese soldier with Minimi Mk3 5.56mm light machine gun. (Picture source Defence 360°)
The 3rd generation of the Minimi light machine gun was unveiled the Belgian firearms company in November 2013 during the International Exhibition of Stae Security that was held in Paris, France. it is an upgrade version of the standard Minimi fitted with conversion kits.
Belgian firearms company FN Herstal offers a comprehensive and customized upgrade program to adapt the FN MINIMI 7.62 to new operational conditions. Various conversion kits are available and the modifications can be carried out in customers’ facilities. Some examples of conversion kits available: handguard/bipod conversion kit, buttstock conversion kit, cocking handle conversion kit, and caliber conversion kit.
The FN Minimi (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon or SAW developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal based in Belgium. First introduced in the late 1970s, it is now in service in more than 75 countries. The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN factory in Herstal, Belgium, and their U.S. subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC. The FN Minimi is available in 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers.
The Minimi uses a gas-actuated long-stroke piston system. The barrel is locked with a rotary bolt, equipped with two massive locking lugs, forced into battery by a helical camming guide in the bolt carrier. The Minimi is fed from the left-hand side by disintegrating-link M27 ammunition belts (a miniaturized version of the 7.62mm M13 belt), from either an unsupported loose belt, enclosed in a polymer ammunition box with a 200-round capacity attached to the base of the receiver, or from detachable STANAG magazines, used in other NATO 5.56 mm assault rifles such as the M16 and FNC.
The modifications introduced on the FN MINIMI Mk3 result from feedback provided by users engaged in current operating theatres. Indeed, the demands of users have evolved over the past 10 to 15 years due to changes in the way the FN MINIMI machine gun is used in combat (increased use of accessories, evolutions in the soldier’s equipment, and changes in tactics such as shooting from all positions).
Main changes are:
· an ergonomic buttstock adjustable in length (5 positions) to allow compensation for body armor and load bearing equipment. The buttstock is adjustable for cheek rest height as well. The user can have his eye correctly aligned with the iron sights, or optical sights, while keeping his cheek properly positioned on the buttstock. It also integrates a folding shoulder rest and a hydraulic buffer that stabilizes the rate of fire and reduces felt recoil, · a new handguard/bipod assembly that provides a comfortable handguard and three forward MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny accessory rails. The adjustable-height (3 positions) bipod, when folded back, integrates into the shape of the handguard even with an accessory on the lower rail, · an ergonomically-shaped cocking handle that gives the user a better grip with the strong or weak hand, · an improved feed tray with belt retaining pawls that hold the belt correctly in position during the loading procedure, which is most useful when the user is in the standing position, · an optional heatshield that greatly reduces the risk of inadvertently touching the barrel, - the convertibility of the FN MINIMI 7.62 to fire 5.56x45mm ammunition.
Commandos Portugais, engagée auprès de la mission de l'ONU en Centre Afrique, effectuent une opération de nettoyage d'un camp hostile.
_________________ “Ira furor brevis est, animum rege, qui nisi paret imperat."
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Sujet: Re: Forças Armadas Portuguesas/Portuguese Armed Forces Ven 9 Oct 2020 - 19:14
Citation :
09 October 2020
First Portuguese modernised Super Lynx delayed to 2021
by Victor Barreira
The delivery of the first modernised Super Lynx Mk 95A helicopter to the Portuguese Navy has been pushed back to early January 2021.
Deliveries of all five modernised Super Lynx Mk 95 helicopters to the Portuguese Navy are now planned to be completed in 2021. (Victor Barrerira)
The helicopter was due to be received on 30 September but its delivery has been postponed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Portuguese Navy told Janes .
Leonardo was awarded a EUR69 million (then USD76.45 million) contract in July 2016 to modernise the Portuguese Navy’s five Super Lynx Mk 95 aircraft. Under current scheduling, delivery of all five is expected to be completed in 2021.
The first modernised helicopter completed its maiden flight on 14 February at Leonardo Helicopters' facility in Yeovil, United Kingdom. Evaluation of the helicopter is scheduled for December as part of the certification of the type. Pilots are due to finalise their training in early December.
The modernisation package includes the replacement of the original Rolls-Royce Gem 42 engines with more powerful LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshafts.
Portugal Approves Six New OPVs for Marinha Portuguesa
- Naval News
The shipbuilding program for six new OPVs (Navios de Patrulha Oceânicos «NPO») is one of the structuring projects of the 2019 military planning law, where the funds necessary for public investment in Defense and the Armed Forces are outlined.
“The acquisition of six new OPVs will reinforce the Patrol and Inspection capacity, guaranteeing the control of maritime spaces under national sovereignty and jurisdiction, and the fulfillment of the international commitments assumed by the Portuguese State, within the scope of safeguarding human life at sea, and maritime search and rescue.”
Portuguese MoD statement
The vessels will be tasked with several “coast guard” type missions such as fisheries inspection, prevention of maritime pollution and combating illegal activities such as drug trafficking, illegal immigration, trafficking in persons or weapons, and other illicit activities, in collaboration with other national and European authorities.
The resolution approved by the Council of Ministers provides for an investment, through the Military Planning Law, up to a maximum amount of 352 million euros, to which VAT is added at the legal rate in force. The delivery of “Viana Castelo” class ships will be phased and annual, with start scheduled for the end of 2023.
Local media reported João Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Defense, implied that the ships would be built in Portugal, at the Viana do Castelo Shipyards.
About Viana do Castelo-class patrol vessel
There are currently four vessels of the class in service with the Portuguese Navy. The first two ships of the class two were built by local shipbuilder Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo with several years of delays (launched in 2005 but commissioned in 2011 and 2013). The second and fourth ship were built by West Sea Shipyards, another local shipyard. They were launched much later in 2017 but built and commissioned much fast: In 2018 and 2019.
Viana do Castelo-class OPV have a length of 83.10 meters, a displacement of 1,600 tons and accommodations for 67 (crew size: 35 sailors). Armament consists in a 30 mm Oto Melara Marlin main gun (40 mm L/60 turreted gun aboard the first ship in class NRP Viana do Castelo) and two manned 7.62 mm light machine gun mounts as well as two launching systems for MK55 Mod 2 mines.
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Portuguese Army seeks to modernise ground-based air defences
by Victor Barreira
The Portuguese Army expects to receive its first platoon of four vehicle-mounted Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems between 2024 and 2025, Major Ricardo Jorge Parcelas Araújo e Silva, area co-ordinator at the army's Forces Planning Division, told Janes .
A second platoon of four VSHORAD systems is scheduled to be received after 2026.
A request for proposal (RFP) is scheduled to be issued by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) by September, another army source told Janes . Interested competitors will have three months to deliver bids.
The Portuguese Army's ground-based air defence capability is based on the Stinger MANPADS. (Victor Barreira)
A sales agreement between the Portuguese Army and the NSPA in 2017 sought to buy, for EUR32 million (plus EUR9 million added in November 2020), a total of eight systems consisting of eight missile launchers, ammunition, eight 4×4 armoured tactical vehicles or eight 6×6 high-mobility trucks with armoured cabin, and two vehicle-mounted or trailer-mounted short-range 3D local warning radars. Either vehicle type would have mounts for a 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
The VSHORAD systems are to arm the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery of the Mechanized Brigade and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the Intervention Brigade, and will be integrated with the SICCA3 anti-aircraft artillery command-and-control system. Both were equipped with the legacy M48A2E1/A3 Chaparral.
The RFP also includes eight weapon terminals to integrate legacy Stinger manportable air defense systems (MANPADS) with the SICCA3 system.
The SICCA3 received by the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in September 2016 consists of a sheltered Teknel Fire Detection Center (FDC) and Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and Arquus Kerax 4x4 trucks.
PUBLISHED: 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 LAST UPDATED: 27 SEPTEMBER 2021
Portuguese Air Force KC-390 shows colour - update
On 21 September 2021, Embraer's factory in Gavião Peixoto (Brazil) was visited by Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) members.
The FAP had the opportunity to watch the final stage of construction of their first built EMBRAER KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
On 15 June 2021, Scramble Magazine wrote about FAP's first KC-390. With this visit, the serial number 26901 of the first KC-390 was revealed. It is planned that the transporter will make its first flight this year. Certification will take place in 2022 and delivery in early 2023.
In 2019, the FAP ordered five KC-390s were to replace its C-130Hs with 501 Squadron Bisontes (Bisons) at Montijo Air Base (Portugal).
Portugal FAP KC 390 2 320A second export customer is Hungary, they ordered two KC-390s in 2020. It migth be possible that more European countries will follow.
Credit information: Paulo Mata (http://www.passarodeferro.com/) and EMBRAER/FAP
Ven 24 Juil 2009 - 1:52
Cyril Abad-Safran Helicopter Engines 
@Defence360 · 19 mai 
7.62 to new operational conditions. Various conversion kits are available and the modifications can be carried out in customers’ facilities. Some examples of conversion kits available: handguard/bipod conversion kit, buttstock conversion kit, cocking handle conversion kit, and caliber conversion kit.
