Portugal will receive heavy military equipment worth 5.8 billion euros

Portugal will receive heavy military equipment worth 5.8 billion euros - Portugal Business News

Defence News Europe - Portugal will receive heavy military equipment worth 5.8 billion euros under the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) fund and is also revising its Military Programming Law. Here is date and the list of heavy military equipment to be received by Portugal, as well as Portugal´s Defence capabilities deployed under NATO, and Portugal´s share of GDP allocated to Defence:

When will Portugal receive heavy military equipment under the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) fund?

Portugal expects to receive heavy military equipment worth 5.8 billion euros from 2029 for the first phase that comprises a first tranche of over 800 million euros, according to Nuno Melo, Portugal´s Minister of Defense in a Parliamentary hearing dated July 1st, 2026. Portugal expects to receive heavy military equipment under the second tranche by 2030.

What is the heavy military equipment to be received by Portugal under the SAFE fund?

The list of heavy military equipment to be received by Portugal under the SAFE fund includes:

1 - Armored vehicles and other vehicles

2 - Artillery systems

3 - Frigates

4 - Anti-aircraft systems

5 - Satellites

6 - Drones

7 - Ammunition

What military equipment will be produced by Portugal?

“The satellites that will be sold to the Armed Forces, but will be sold worldwide, will be produced in Portugal; just as we will produce ammunition, we will produce armored vehicles, and we will also, I hope, achieve a very significant investment in the Alfeite Arsenal¨ - Portugal´s Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo.

What is Portugal´s new Military Programming Law?

Portugal is currently revising its Military Programming Law, in which the necessary budgetary amounts will be included.

What are Portugal´s Defence capabilities deployed under NATO?

Portugal´s Defence capabilities currently deployed under NATO include 2,241 military personnel, 5 ships, 12 aircraft, and 144 tactical vehicles deployed in 44 international missions.

Portugal also just signed a maritime security pact for the North Atlantic under NATO.

What is Portugal´s share of GDP allocated to Defence?

Portugal´s share of GDP allocated to Defence is currently 2.1%.

What is the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) fund?

The EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) fund, that was adopted by the EU Council on May 27th, 2025, will unlock over 800 billion euros in Defence spending across EU countries under the European Commission’s ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030.

The EU SAFE fund will provide up to 150 billion euros in competitively priced, long-maturity loans to Member States requesting financial assistance for investments in Defence capabilities.

Procurement contracts under the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) fund must ensure that no more than 35% of component costs originate from outside the EU, EEA-EFTA, or Ukraine.