Portuguese Navy Participates in NATO Exercises with Frigate, 167 Soldiers

The Portuguese Navy is participating in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercise with a frigate and 167 soldiers in an exercise to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between participating countries.

The frigate D. Francisco de Almeida is participating in the multinational exercise Northern Viking (NV24), which runs through September 3 in Iceland and North Atlantic waters, the navy said in a statement.

“The exercise, which began on August 26, is hosted by the United States of America and brings together forces from eight Atlantic Alliance countries, including Portugal, Iceland, the United States of America, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Poland, with the aim of strengthening readiness and interoperability among participating countries,” the statement said.

The Portuguese Navy says participation in NV24 demonstrates NATO’s commitment to the security and stability of the North Atlantic region, “an area of ​​vital strategic importance for the sea lanes between North America and Europe.”

“Through these exercises, allied nations work together to practice tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure a rapid and effective response to any potential threat,” the Navy explained.

It also said NV24 demonstrates the importance of strategic relationships between NATO allies, “particularly in the context of operations in the North Atlantic, where continued cooperation is essential to maintaining global peace and security.”

He adds that the frigate D. Francisco de Almeida is commanded by frigate captain Santos Garcia, has 167 personnel, including a marine boarding party, a team of divers-approachers and a team of non-aviation systems operators, and that the ship is part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, participating in the Atlantic Alliance’s Operation Shining Shield from July 29 to November 16, 2024.