Nuno Melo is studying the construction of an ammunition factory and once again guarantees an increase in salaries in the Armed Forces

The Minister of National Defense said on Tuesday that the government was studying the possibility of building an ammunition plant and reiterated that it would increase salaries in the Armed Forces, without yet specifying the amount.

At his first procedural hearing in the Assembly of the Republic, Nuno Melo announced that “very soon” he would present details of the factory to parliament.

“This is one of the areas in which we know that the entire European Union, I would say the Western world, is in short supply. The need for the production of ammunition has been identified at the government level, and very soon I hope to be able to bring to this Parliament the sale of this ammunition by an ammunition manufacturing plant,” he said.

Nuno Melo stressed that this development “has rules” such as investor assessment, business model, location, government involvement, as well as the prospect of profit, arguing that the defense industry “can be profitable.”

“We have already identified some partners, locations, are studying possible business models and over time this will be implemented,” he added.

Nuno Melo said that he is working on measures to increase salaries in the Armed Forces, which will be presented “soon”, without specifying either the values ​​or dates.

In response to criticism from PS defense coordinator Luis Dias, who accused the government official of not making concrete decisions and being “in a military-tourist amusement park” in the branches, the Minister of Defense only guaranteed that “in six months” to do much more than previous socialist governments did in eight years.

“In these six months, Mr. Deputy will receive an increase in salary, increased bonuses and improved conditions for ex-combatants, and therefore, Mr. Deputy, enjoy the last days or weeks that you have left, you never know, that “thing” that he did not do this,” because soon you’ll say, “He did it,” Melo responded.

At the beginning of the hearing, the minister and president of the CDS-PP emphasized that “since 2009, the military has had no salary updates,” a statement that was disputed by the PS, which recalled the strengthening of the fixed component of the military status allowance. last year.

Regarding the replacement of F-16 fighters with F-35s, already requested by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force under pain of loss of air sovereignty, Melo only said that the country will have to “in due course think about replacing” these aircraft, taking into account “amounts that are not small.” .

The minister said the government was “finalizing the introduction of an aircraft based on the KC-390, which has achieved excellent results, based on Embraer using Portuguese technology,” the Super Tucano aircraft.

Melo added that if this investment continues, “there are already intentions to purchase aircraft from NATO and non-NATO countries,” stressing that the aircraft has ideal characteristics for operations in Africa, where Portugal has several missions.

During the hearing, the PS and PSD exchanged some accusations about the lack of investment in the Armed Forces, with PSD defense coordinator Bruno Vitorino saying that the Socialists “must apologize” to the military and examining the comparison between the mandate of the days of the current PSD/CDU-PP leader with the years of socialist rule .

The minister also stressed several times during his speeches that he only had about three months in office and rejected the idea that he had taken “few measures.”

Melo also added that the Air Force will provide, “if the Ministry of Health so desires,” two helicopters to provide emergency medical services in the health sector.”

Regarding international missions, a government official said there are currently 34 missions in Portugal with 1,755 troops, and that the government intends to maintain them and “even increase them.”