Portuguese Army Exército Português | |
---|---|
War flag of the Portuguese Army | |
Active | 1139 – present |
Country | Portugal |
Type | Army |
Role | Land Forces |
Size | 32.000 |
Part of | Portuguese Armed Forces |
Patron | Afonso I of Portugal |
Motto(s) |
Em perigos e guerras esforçados In dangers and wars strengthened |
Engagements |
Reconquista 1383–1385 Crisis War of the Castilian Succession Persia–Portugal war Ethiopian-Adal War Dutch–Portuguese War Turkish-Portuguese Wars War of the Portuguese Succession Malayan-Portuguese War Portuguese Restoration War War of the Spanish Succession Seven Years' War French Revolutionary Wars War of the Oranges Peninsular War Luso-Brazilian invasion Brazilian War of Independence Liberal Wars First Carlist War World War I Portuguese-Indian War (1961) Portuguese Colonial War IFOR SFOR EUFOR KFOR Afghanistan War Peacekeeping Missions -Angola -Bosnia -Croatia -Macedonia -Western Sahara -Georgia -Lebanon |
Commanders | |
Army Chief of Staff |
General José Luís Pinto Ramalho [2] |
The Portuguese Army (Portuguese language: Exército Português ) is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal. It is one of the oldest armies in the world, established in the 12th century.
History[]
The history of the Portuguese Army is directly connected to the history of Portugal.
National defence[]
The land forces fought for Portuguese independence against the Leonese and the Moors in the 12th century, against the Castilian invaders in the 14th century, against the Spanish Habsburgs in the 17th century, and against French invaders in the Peninsular War in the 19th century. Here they were re-trained by the British (under the direction of Lieutenant General William Carr Beresford). Their infantry and artillery forces went on to perform brilliantly up until the final French capitulation in 1814.
Foreign campaigns[]
Since the 15th century, the land forces have also participated in Portuguese foreign and overseas campaigns – in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, and Europe. In the 20th century, the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps participated in World War I on the side of the Allies in the European western front and Africa.
Colonial War[]
The army participated in colonial war from 1961 to 1974, in Angola, Goa, Mozambique, Portuguese Guinea and Cape Verde. At the other oversees possessions, East Timor and São Tomé and Príncipe, there was a military presence but no guerrilla organizations. In 1961, the isolated and relatively small Portuguese Army suffered a defeat against a largely superior Indian Army in the colony of Portuguese India, which was subsequently lost to the Union of India in the same invasion. The counterinsurgency campaigns in Africa had various degrees of success ranging from almost victory in Angola to total and conventional war in Portuguese Guinea. This war ended after the Carnation Revolution military coup of April 1974 in Lisbon and subsequently independence of the colonies.
European/NATO focus[]
After the independence of the colonies and the normalization of Portuguese political affairs the Portuguese army returned to the barracks and began the process of changing from an oversized colonial and counter-insurgency army to a conventional European army, including drastic personnel reduction, disbanding of some units, acquisition of new arms and equipment, reorganizing units and roles, fielding new headquarters and becoming fully professional. These took several decades and the defined purposes and roles have somehow changed due to external causes like the end of the Cold War as well internal causes like available budget, political changes and the acceptance and desires of the Portuguese people regarding its armed forces.
Peace missions[]
In the 21st century, the Portuguese Army has participated in several peace missions, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, East-Timor, and Afghanistan – where it has a Comandos company deployed. In December 2005, a Portuguese commando died in an incident in Afghanistan when a bomb trap was detonated.
Order of battle[]
Central structure[]
The Portuguese Army is led by the Army Chief of Staff and includes:
- Army Staff ;
- Functional Commands:
- Training and Doctrine Command
- Logistic Command
- Personnel Command
- Operational Command
- Operational Formations and Military Zones:
- Mechanized Brigade
- Rapid Reaction Brigade
- Intervention Brigade
- Azores Military Zone
- Madeira Military Zone
- Main Military Schools:
- Military Academy
- Army Sergeant School
- School of the Military Medical Service
- Army Polytechnical School
Base units[]
The Portuguese Army Base Structure Units work as administrative bases responsible for the training and organization of
the operational units of the army's formations, military zones and general support forces. For historical reasons most of the base units are called regiments and are associated with an arm of service. By arm of service, these units are:
- Cavalry:
- School of Cavalry at Abrantes,
- 2nd Lancers Regiment (Army Military Police Unit) at Lisbon
- 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Estremoz
- Cavalry Barracks (former 4th Cavalry Regiment) at Santa Margarida Military Camp
- 6th Cavalry Regiment at Braga
- Artillery:
- School of Artillery at Vendas Novas,
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment at Queluz
- 4th Artillery Regiment at Leiria
- 5th Artillery Regiment at Vila Nova de Gaia
- Infantry:
- School of Infantry at Mafra
- 1st Infantry Regiment at Tavira
- 3rd Infantry Regiment at Beja
- 10th Infantry Regiment at Aveiro
- 13th Infantry Regiment at Vila Real
- 14th Infantry Regiment at Viseu
- 15th Infantry Regiment at Tomar
- 19th Infantry Regiment at Chaves
- Engineers:
- School of Engineers at Tancos
- 1st Engineers Regiment at Lisbon
- 3rd Engineers Regiment at Espinho
- Communications:
- School of Communications at Oporto
- Communications Regiment at Lisbon
- Logistical Services:
- School of Services at Póvoa de Varzim
- Transportation Regiment at Lisbon
- Material Maintenance Regiment at Entroncamento
- Mixed:
- Special Operations Troops Centre at Lamego
- Commando Troops Center at Carregueira
- Parachute Troops School at Tancos
- Military Center of Electronics at Paço de Arcos
- 1st Garrison Regiment at Angra do Heroismo
- 2nd Garrison Regiment at Ponta Delgada
- 3rd Garrison Regiment at Funchal
- Intelligence and Military Security Center at Porto Brandão
- Army Light Aviation Unit at Tancos
Ranks[]
General officers | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marechal do Exército Marshal of the Army |
General General |
Tenente-general Lieutenant-general |
Major-general Major-general |
Brigadeiro-general Brigadier General | ||||||
OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | ||||||
Field officers | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coronel Colonel |
Tenente-coronel Lieutenant-colonel |
Major Major | ||||||||
OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | ||||||||
Company officers | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capitão Captain |
Tenente Lieutenant |
Alferes Ensign |
Aspirante an official Officer candidate | |||||||
OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-D | |||||||
Non-commissioned officers | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sargento-mor Sergeant-major |
Sargento-chefe Chief Master Sergeant |
Sargento-ajudante Master sergeant |
Primeiro-sargento First sergeant |
Segundo-sargento Second sergeant |
Furriel Quartermaster |
Segundo-furriel Second quartermaster | ||||
OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | ||||
Enlisted | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cabo-adjunto Attached corporal |
Primeiro-cabo First corporal |
Segundo-cabo Second corporal |
Soldado Soldier | |||||||
OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||
No insignia |
Equipment[]
Infantry Equipment[]
Weapon | Caliber | Origin | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pistols and Submachine Guns | ||||
Glock 17 | 9x19 mm | Austria | Purchased in 2019 to replace Walther P38 and SIG Sauer P228.[1] | |
SIG P228 | 9x19 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[1] | |
Heckler & Koch USP9 | 9x19 mm | Germany | [1] | |
Heckler & Koch P30 | 9x19 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[2] | |
Heckler & Koch MP5 (A5/SD6/KA4 versions) | 9x19 mm | Germany | The A5,SD6 (since 2003) and KA4 versions are in use.[3] | |
Assault Rifles & Battle Rifles | ||||
FN SCAR L / FN SCAR H | 5.56x45mm / 7.62x51mm | Belgium | To become the new standard-issue Battle Rifle, 11,300 rifles have been ordered in 2019. SCAR-L version will replace the m/963 (G3A3 model) while SCAR-H and SCAR-HPR precision model have also been ordered.[4] | |
Heckler & Koch G3 | 7.62x51 mm | Germany | Standard issue Battle Rifle, made under license by Fábrica de Braço de Prata as the FBP m/961 (G3) and FBP m/963 (G3A3). To be replaced by the FN SCAR in 2019-2020.[4] | |
Heckler & Koch HK416 | 5.56 x 45 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Heckler & Koch HK417 | 7.62×51 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Heckler & Koch G36 | 5.56x45 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[6] | |
Sniper Rifles & Anti-materiel Rifles | ||||
FN SCAR H PR | 7.62x51 mm | Belgium | Sniper support rifle.[4] | |
Heckler & Koch
G28 |
7.62x51 mm | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[6] | |
AI AWSF | 7.62x51 mm | United Kingdom | [6] | |
AI AXMC | .338 Lapua Magnum | United Kingdom | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Barrett M107 | .50 BMG | United States | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Machine Guns | ||||
Rheinmetall MG 3 | 7.62x51 mm | Germany | General-purpose machine gun. Being replaced by FN Mnimi | |
Heckler & Koch HK21 | 7.62x51 mm | Germany | Made under license by Fábrica de Braço de Prata as the m/968. General-purpose machine gun. Being replaced by FN Mnimi | |
FN Minimi | 5.56x45 mm | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun. Further deliveries of MK3 variant have been made, to replace the HK21 as the new standard-issued LMG.[4] | |
FN Minimi | 7.62x51 mm | Belgium | Purchased to replace MG3.[4] | |
Heckler & Koch MG4 | 5.56x45 mm | Germany | General-purpose machine gun.[7] | |
FN M3M | .50 BMG | Belgium | Heavy Machine Gun. Used on Pandur II | |
Browning M2HB | .50 BMG | United States | Heavy Machine Gun. | |
Shotguns | ||||
Fabarm STF 12 | 12, 20 gauge | Italy | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Benelli M4 | 12, 20 gauge | Italy | [8] | |
Benelli Supernova | 12 gauge | Italy | Purchased in 2020.[9] | |
Franchi SPAS 15 | 12 gauge | Italy | ||
Grenade Launchers | ||||
FN 40 GL | 40 mm grenade | Belgium | 2,000 FN40GL 40 mm grenade launchers. Can be used on FN SCAR or individually.[4] | |
HK 269 | 40 mm grenade | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre.[5] | |
Heckler & Koch AG36 | 40 mm grenade | Germany | Used by Special Operations Troops Centre | |
Heckler & Koch GMG | 40 mm grenade | Germany | Purchased in 2018 | |
Milkor MGL | 40 mm grenade | South Africa | Mk.1 version. | |
Mortars | ||||
Tampella B | 120 mm | Finland | Called m/74. | |
mGrW 82 | 81 mm | Canada | ||
FBP m/68 | 60 mm | Portugal | Ultra-light mortar (Morteirete). | |
Anti-Tank Weapons | ||||
Carl Gustav M3 | 84 mm | Sweden | 162 units.[10] | |
M72 LAW | 66 mm | United States | Designated as the m/78. | |
BGM-71 TOW | 152 mm | United States | 50 Launchers with 216 Missiles.[11] | |
MILAN | 115 mm | France | 755 missiles, 55 Milan+, 700 Milan-2-T.[11]
|
Vehicles[]
Name | Origin | Type | Number | Photo | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armoured vehicles | ||||||
Leopard 2A6 | Germany | Main battle tank | 37 | Portugal also bought 1 for training and 1 for spares[12]
| ||
M60 A3 TTS | United States | Main battle tank | 93 | The Portuguese Army issued a tender to scrap 90 M60A3 TTS main battle tanks. They were formally phased out in 2018. A total of 93 M60A3 TTS tanks were received from US surplus for the Mechanized Brigade, comprising 80 in 1993, twelve in 1995 and one in 1996.[12] | ||
M901A1 ITV | United States | Armoured vehicle ATGMs-launcher | 4 | 4 in service since 1993.[12] | ||
M113 BGM-71 TOW | United States | Armoured vehicle ATGMs-launcher | 17 | M113 armored personnel carrier equipped with BGM-71 TOW.[12] | ||
M106 | United States | Mortar carrier | 18 | 10 M106 and 8 M106A2, equipped with 107mm M30 mortar.[12] | ||
M125 | United States | Mortar carrier | 15 | 3 M125A1 and 12 M125A2, equipped with 81mm M29 mortar.[12] | ||
M577 | United States | Command vehicle and ambulance | 68 | 68 received: 10 A2, in 1995, 24 A2, in 1997; 18, in 1998; 10, in 1999 and 6, in 2000, but only 49 M577A2 are in service (46 in service as command vehicles and three in service as ambulance vehicles)[12] | ||
M113 | United States | Armoured personnel carrier | 255 | 255 M113A1/A2 APC (190 in service)[12]
| ||
Pandur II | Austria Portugal | Armoured personnel carrier | 188 | Several versions made under license in Portugal by Fabrequipa.[13]
| ||
Bravia Chaimite V200 | Portugal | Mortar carrier | 6 | Six Chaimite V200 4x4 armored vehicles with 81mm mortar system are currently fielded by the Portuguese Army. They are reportedlythe last Chaimite V200 vehicles in the Portuguese inventory.[13] | ||
Commando V150 | United States | Armoured car | 15 | Acquired 15 units in 1989, but only 9 are in active service, in the Group of Recognition, based on Cavalry Regiment nº6.[13] | ||
URO VAMTAC ST5 | Spain | Armoured car | 139 | Purchased 139 ST5 variant vehicles in October 2018.
| ||
HMMWV M1025 | United States | Armoured car | 37 | Army designation: Auto Blindado Reconhecimento 1,25 ton.[14]
| ||
Panhard M11 | France | Armoured car | 38 | The Portuguese Army currently fields 38 Arquus Ultrav M11D/VBL 4x4 protected scout vehicles. The type which is locally known as the Ultrav M11D, is essentially fielded by the Rapid Reaction Brigade. The fleet includes MILAN F2, PL127/40, AN/PPS-5B and M1919A4 configurations.[13] | ||
Engineering vehicles | ||||||
Leopard 2 Driver Training Tank | Germany | Military training vehicle | 1 | One unit in service since 2008, used for training Leopard 2 A6 new drivers. | ||
M48 AVLB[15] | United States | Armoured vehicle-launched bridge | 4 | 4 are in service since 1981. | ||
M88 Recovery Vehicle[15] | United States | Armoured recovery vehicle | 8 | 6 M88A1 and 2 M88A2G are in service since 1978. | ||
M578 light recovery vehicle | United States | Armoured recovery vehicle | 29 | 21 in service since 1995 and 8 in service since 1997. |
Artillery[]
- 105mm L118 Light Gun (21)
- 155mm M114 (14)
- 155mm M109A5 (18) and M109A4 (6)
Anti-Air Artillery[]
- FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS (30)[11]
- M48A2E1 Chaparral - Designated as the m/90 surface-to-air missile system (30)[11]
- Double 20mm Reinmetall Rh-202 m/81 anti-aircraft gun (30)
Tactical Vehicles[]
- Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 called m/98
- Land Rover Defender'90 TDI 4x4
- Mitsubishi L200 4x4
- UMM Alter 4x4
Heavy Vehicles[]
Others[]
- PASGT
- DPM Camouflage
- Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (AN/PSN-11 PLGR)
- AN/PVS-5B Night Googles
- AN/MPQ-49B Radar
- AN/PPS-5B Radar
See also[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Exército Português. |
- Military history of Portugal
- Portuguese Military Academy
- Army Commandos
- Army Special Operations
- Parachute Troops School
- Rapid Reaction Brigade
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://special-ops.org/portuguese-army-adopts-glock-17-gen5-coyote/
- ↑ https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/armamento/ligeiro/pistolas
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Defence360/status/1190250662451466242
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 http://web.archive.org/web/20200911103638/https://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/portuguese_army_to_receive_assault_rifles_machine_guns_grenade_launchers_from_fn_herstal.html
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 https://www.operacional.pt/em-lamego-com-as-operacoes-especiais-do-exercito-i/
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/armamento/ligeiro/espingardas-e-carabinas
- ↑ https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/armamento/ligeiro/metralhadoras
- ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/unminusca/32527330343/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/portuguesearmy/posts/3376087562509124
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Defence360/status/1264164726776487936
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/armamento/lanca-misseis
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/viaturas/especiais/blindadas-lagartas
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/viaturas/especiais/blindadas-de-rodas
- ↑ https://www.exercito.pt/pt/o-que-fazemos/viaturas/tacticas/medias
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 [1] - Armyrecognition.com, July 29, 2013
- Jornal do Exército, official magazine
- http://www.defencetalk.com/portuguese-army-once-more-wants-the-ec635t1-helicopter-2586/
External links[]
- Exército Português, official website
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The original article can be found at Portuguese Army and the edit history here.