The tender for the acquisition of six ocean-going patrol ships as part of the Portuguese Navy’s fleet renewal program was launched on Friday, the Minister of National Defense announced this Sunday in Porto.
“On this day, I want to highlight the third series of Viana do Castelo-class ocean-going patrol ships, the tender for which was officially launched on Friday,” said Helena Carreiras, who spoke in Porto during the US Independence Day celebrations. Navy Day.
The ceremony mobilized more than 500 soldiers for a parade that brought thousands to the avenue in front of the customs.
According to Helena Carreiras, “the timely and rapid implementation of this program [de modernização da marinha] represents a priority for the national interest and for the fulfillment of the tasks of the Portuguese navy.”
“These ships are essential to ensure effective operations in areas under national sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the minister said, without talking to reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony.
We are talking about the acquisition of six ocean-going patrol ships, the first delivery of which was scheduled for 2023, but has been postponed.
A source at the Ministry of National Defense told Lusa this Sunday that the first of the six ships will arrive in 2026 and the last two in 2030.
On May 16, in the Parliamentary Defense Committee, as part of a discussion of the features of the proposals for the Law on Military Programming (LPM) and the Law on Military Infrastructure (LIM), as well as in response to questions from the PSD, the official highlighted the delay in the acquisition of six ships.
The delay came after the second “withdrawal” by the Court of Accounts (TdC) of the visa contract, which the Ministry of National Defense intended to conclude with the state “holding” IdD-Portugal Defense to manage the program, the latter. year.
In a speech thanking the military and operational personnel for their readiness and the government’s action plan to professionalize the armed forces, Helena Carreiras also spoke about several missions by Portuguese ships.
The minister noted, among other things, the project of the coordinated presence of the European Union, the participation of Portugal in NATO security measures or partnerships with Portuguese-speaking countries, while not forgetting the role of Portugal in the context of tensions in Eastern Europe caused by a military invasion from Russia into Ukraine. .
“All these missions clearly and unequivocally strengthen the role of Portugal as a reliable partner and ally,” he said.
Before Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Enrique Gouvea y Melo speaking earlier, Helena Carreiras assured that the Action Plan for the professionalization of the military service, aimed at “recruiting and retaining the best”, was a “priority”.
“I am confident that we will continue to move forward together towards this and other goals, improving the conditions of those who choose this profession,” he said, confirming “full confidence” in Gouveia’s “leadership and vision.” e Melo.
Helena Carreiras noted that “The Portuguese Navy is implementing an extensive reconstruction and modernization plan aimed at technological optimization in the coming years” and described the Military Programming Law, which is currently being discussed in the Assembly of the Republic, as “the greatest proposal ever “. “, with an estimated investment of 5.5 million euros.
Navy Day is a national initiative that this year took place in Porto over several days.
Among the highlights is the opportunity to visit the training ship Sagres, moored on the Douro River, which has not been seen for 25 years.
A source at the organization told Lusa that “on Saturday alone” there were more than 7,500 visits to the training ship.
The purpose of this initiative is to bring society closer to the navy and show people that this branch of the armed forces is an instrument of the Portuguese state in its actions at sea.
The celebrations culminated in a parade on Sunday that displayed military capabilities along the Douro River.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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