Portugal to Acquire Third Submarine, Bolster Naval Power
Portugal is set to bolster its maritime presence with the acquisition of a third submarine, Defense Minister Nuno Melo announced on Tuesday. The investment will be a cornerstone of the nation’s upcoming Military Programming Law (LPM), the 12-year framework governing public investment in the Armed Forces.
A Strategic Deterrent at Sea
Speaking during a parliamentary hearing on the 2027 State Budget, Melo described the submarine as a “weapon with a deterrent capability that few others possess at sea.” The move aligns with the vision of Admiral Nobre de Sousa, Chief of Staff of the Navy, who recently advocated for expanding the fleet to strengthen Portugal’s sovereign control over its vast territorial waters.
The Future of Portuguese Air Power
While the submarine project is moving forward, the government remains tight-lipped regarding the highly anticipated replacement for the Air Force’s aging F-16 fighter jets. Despite repeated questioning from lawmakers, Melo insisted that a formal process has not yet begun.
“The discussion on this will only take place after the approval of the Military Programming Law, which should happen by the end of the year,” Melo said. He emphasized that the final decision will be a “technical and political judgment” based on comparative studies from the Air Force.
Major aerospace players, including Lockheed Martin (F-35), Saab (Gripen E), Airbus (Eurofighter Typhoon), and Dassault Aviation (Rafale), are expected to vie for the contract. Lawmakers also raised technical concerns regarding the compatibility of current refueling aircraft with potential new jets, a detail Melo noted would be addressed in future technical reports.
Portugal Reaches for the Stars
Beyond traditional defense, Melo highlighted Portugal’s growing ambitions in space. The minister announced that a ceremony on December 2 in Alverca will mark the delivery of the country’s first two domestically produced satellites.
Portugal is also finalizing land acquisition for a space base on Santa Maria in the Azores. The government aims to launch up to 11 satellites in 2027, with the capacity to scale up to 40 launches by 2028.
Modernizing Infrastructure and Diplomacy
Addressing the future of the Alfeite Arsenal, Melo reassured workers that a new management partnership with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri would not result in job losses. Instead, he stated the goal is to transform the shipyards into a “reference infrastructure in the European Union.”
The hearing also touched on international relations, with Deputy Secretary of State Nuno Pinheiro Torres announcing a 15% increase in the budget for Defense Domain Cooperation (CDD). This funding supports military and strategic partnerships with Portuguese-speaking nations, including Angola, Mozambique, and Timor-Leste.
Finally, Melo confirmed that the Air Force will play a significant role in domestic safety, with eight assets dedicated to firefighting missions in 2027.
Image: Pexels – Erik Mclean
