Portuguese Army

Information about Portuguese Army

ExÃ©rcito PortuguÃªs Portuguese Army
Portuguese Army Coat of Arms
Active	1153 — current
Country	Portugal
Type	Army
Size	25 000 soldiers
Part of	Portuguese Armed Forces
Patron	Alphonse I of Portugal
Motto	Em perigos e guerras esforÃ§ados In dangers and wars strengthenn
Commanders
Army Chief of Staff	General JosÃ© LuÃs Pinto Ramalho[1]
Aircraft flown
Transport	NH-90

Portuguese Army troops heading for Angola, during World War I.

Portuguese Army troops in the jungle, during the 1960's and 1970's Colonial Wars in Africa.

The Operational Structure of the Portuguese Army.

The Portuguese Army (Portuguese: ExÃ©rcito PortuguÃªs) is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal. It's one of the oldest armies in the world, and it was 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 occupiers in the 17th century and against French invaders in the 19th century.

Foreign campaigns

Since the 15th century, the land forces have also participated in Portuguese foreign and overseas campaigns — in Africa, Asia, America, Oceania and Europe. In the 20th century, the Portuguese Army participated in World War I on the side of the Allies in the European western front and Africa. The army participated in colonial wars from 1961 to 1974, in Angola, Goa, Mozambique, Portuguese Guinea and Timor.

Peace missions

In the 21st century, the Portuguese Army has participated in several peace missions, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Timor-Leste, and Afghanistan — currently a Comandos company. 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 headed by the Army Chief of Staff and includes:

Army Staffhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EME(2).gif;
Functional Commands:
* Training and Doctrine Commandhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/comando_instrucao(1).gif,
* Logistical Commandhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/cmd_logistica(2).gif,
* Personnel Commandhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/comando_pessoal_G.gif;
* Operational Commandhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/Com_Operac_forcas_terrestre(1).gif;
Operational Formations and Military Zones:
* Rapid Reaction Brigade http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/brigada_aerotransport_indep3.gif
* Mechanized Brigadehttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BMI%201%20cÃ³pia(1).gif
* Intervention Brigadehttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/brigada_ligeira_interven(2).gif
* Military Zone of Azores,http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/ZMA(8).gif
* Military Zone of Madeira,http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/ZMM(2).gif
Main Military Schools:
* Military Academy,http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/academia_militar(1).gif
* School of the Military Medical Service,http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BrasÃ£o%20Grande(7).gif
* Army Polytechnical School;http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/ESPE_gran.gif

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 Cavalryhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EPC(2).gif at Abrantes,
* 2nd Lancers Regiment http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RL2(2).gif (Army Military Police Unit) at Lisbon,
* 3rd Cavalry Regimenthttp://www.geocities.com/Area51/5906/bras_rc3.jpg at Estremoz,
* Cavalry Barracks (former 4th Cavalry Regiment)http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RC4(2).gif at Santa Margarida Military Camp,
* 6th Cavalry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BrasÃ£o%20Grande.gif at Braga
Artillery:
* School of Artilleryhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EPA(5).gif at Vendas Novas,
* 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RAA1%20grande.gif at Queluz,
* 4th Artillery Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RA4(2).gif at Leiria,
* 5th Artillery Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RA5(2).gif at Vila Nova de Gaia
Infantry:
* School of Infantryhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EPI(2).gif at Mafra,
* 1st Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RI1(2).gif at Carregueira,
* 3rd Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RI3(2).gif at Beja,
* 8th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RIElvas(1).gif at Elvas (in process of being disbanded, it will be replaced by a Military Museum),
* 10th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/area_militar_sao_jacinto%20Grande.gif at Aveiro
* 13th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BrazÃ£o%20RI13(1).jpg at Vila Real,
* 14th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RI14(3).gif at Viseu,
* 15th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/ritomar(10).gif at Tomar,
* 19th Infantry Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RI19(2).gif at Chaves
Engineers:
* School of Engineershttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EPE(2).gif at Tancos,
* 1st Engineers Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RE1Lisboa_g.gif at Lisbon,
* 3rd Engineers Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/REEspinho(1).gif at Espinho
Communications:
* School of Communicationshttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/EPT_(11).gif at Oporto,
* Communications Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/DSCF0568.JPG at Lisbon
Medical Service:
* Medical Service Battalionhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/Brasao%20Grande(2).gif at Coimbra
Military Administration (Logistical Service) and Transportation Service:
* School of Serviceshttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BrasÃ£oM(2).jpg at PÃ³voa de Varzim
* Transportation Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/BRAZÃƒO%20GRANDE(2).gif at Lisbon
Material Service:
* Maintenance (Material Service) Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/rman_net2(2).jpg at Entroncamento
Mixed:
* Special Operations Troops Centerhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/centro_instr_operacoes_espe(2).gif at Lamego,
* Comandos Troops Center at Mafra (may be moved to Beja and/or Tavira),
* Parachute Troops School http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/Esc_tropas_aerotransp(1).gif at Tancos,
* Military Center of Electronicshttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/Esc_militar_electromecanica(1).gif at PaÃ§o de Arcos,
* 1st Garrison Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/Armas%20Gran.gif at Angra do Heroismo,
* 2nd Garrison Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RG2_grande_novo.gif at Ponta Delgada,
* 3rd Garrison Regimenthttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/RG3_g.gif at Funchal,
* Intelligence and Military Security Centerhttp://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/batalhao_infor_reconh_trans.gif at Porto BrandÃ£o,
* Army Light Aviation Unit http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/ueo/brasoes/grande.gif at Tancos,

Equipment

Light Firearms

7.62 mm Heckler & Koch G3 m/61 assault rifle
5.56 mm Galil m/94 Assault Rifle (only used by Paratroopers)
5.56 mm SIG SG 540 Assault Rifle (only used by Special Operations and Commandos)
7.62 mm Sniper rifle AWSF m/96
9 mm Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun (used by Special Operations and Army Military Police)
9mm UZI Submachine Gun (used at least by Paratroopers, Special Operations and Military Police and, eventually, by other units)
7.62 mm general purpose machine gun MG3
7.62 mm general purpose machine gun HK21
12.7 mm Heavy machine gun Browning M2HB
40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher M/SB M1
M203 40mm Grenade Launcher M/SB M1

Heavy Firearms

Mortars

120mm Tampella B m/74 Heavy mortar
81mm L16 A2 m/86 medium mortar
60mm Soltan Light Mortar
60mm FBP m/68 Ultra-Light Mortar (morteirete)

Tanks

M-60 A3
Leopard 2A6 (on order)

Artillery

105mm M119 Light Gun m/98
105mm OTO Melara Mod 56 (discontinued, some may be used by the School of Artillery for no-live fire training, replaced by M119 Light Gun)
105mm M101 (discontinued, some may be used by the School of Artillery for no-live fire training)
155mm M114 (discontinued, some may be used by the School of Artillery for no-live fire training)
155mm M109A5

Anti-Air Artillery

Stinger air-to-air missile
M48 Chaparral m/90 surface-to-air missile system
Doble 20mm Reinmetall Rh-202 m/81 anti-aircraft gun

Tactical Vehicles

4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser m/98,
4x4 HMMWV M1025 m/00;
4x4 Land Rover Defender'90 TDI;

Heavy Vehicles

40ton 4x2 Volvo D Truck
38ton 6x4 DAF FTT Truck

Armour

M113A3 m/76 APC
Pandur II m/07 APC
Commando V150 m/89 Armoured car
Chaimite m/67 APC
Panhard M11 m/89 Light Armoured car

Helicopters

NHI NH90 TTH (10 on order)

Other

AN/PPS-5B Radar
Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (AN/PSN-11 PLGR)
AN/PVS-5B
AN/MPQ-49B Radar

External links

ExÃ©rcito PortuguÃªs, official website

• • [ e] Portuguese Armed Forces
under the command of the Ministry of Defence
Air Force (Fora Area) Army (Exrcito) Navy (Marinha)

Anthem
"A Portuguesa"

Capital
(and largest city) Lisbon⁵

Official languages Portuguese¹
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An army (from Latin armata "act of arming" via Old French armÃ©e), in the broadest sense, is the land-based armed forces of a nation. It may also include other branches of the military such as an air force.
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Portuguese Armed Forces (ForÃ§as Armadas Portuguesas), encompasses a Navy, Army and an Air Force. The President of Portugal is the formal Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, but in practice they answer to the Portuguese Government via the Minister of National Defence.
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Afonso I
King of Portugal

17th century painting of Afonso Henriques.
Reign April 24, 1112 (succeeds his father)
June 24, 1128 (defeats his mother)
July 26, 1139 (proclaims himself king)
October 5, 1143 (recognized by LeÃ³n)
—
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A cargo aircraft is an airplane designed and used for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. This role demands a number of features that makes a cargo aircraft instantly identifiable; a "fat" looking fuselage, a high-wing to allow the cargo area to sit near the
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Portuguese}}}
Writing system: Latin alphabet (Portuguese variant)
Official status
Official language of: Angola
Brazil
Cape Verde
East Timor
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Macau (PRC)
Mozambique
Portugal
SÃ£o TomÃ© and PrÃncipe
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Anthem
"A Portuguesa"

Capital
(and largest city) Lisbon⁵

Official languages Portuguese¹
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The Kingdom of LeÃ³n (Reinu de LliÃ³n in the Leonese Language) was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of Iberia. Founded 913 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their main seat from Oviedo
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During the medieval period, Moor became a common term to refer to the Muslims of Islamic Spain and North Africa, who were of Arab or Berber descent. The name remains associated with the Muslims of Spain even today, despite being archaic and inaccurate, as it lumps Muslim and
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The Crown of Castile, as a historic entity, is usually considered to have begun with the final and definitive union of the two kingdoms of LeÃ³n and Castile in 1230, or in fact with the union of their parliament a few decades later.
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Motto
"Plus Ultra" (Latin)
"Further Beyond"
Anthem
"Marcha Real" ¹
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Africa is the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. At about 30,221,532 kmÂ² (11,668,545 sq mi) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area, and 20.4% of the total land area.
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Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area (or 29.4% of its land area) and, with almost 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world's current human population.
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Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World consisting of the continents of North America^[1] and South America with their associated islands and regions. The Americas cover 8.3% of the Earth's total surface area (28.
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Oceania (sometimes Oceanica) is a geographical, often geopolitical, region consisting of numerous lands—mostly islands in the Pacific Ocean and vicinity. The exact scope of Oceania is defined variously, with interpretations often including Australia, New Zealand, New
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Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. Physically and geologically, Europe is the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, west of Asia. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea,
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Clockwise from top: Trenches on the Western Front; a British Mark IV tank crossing a trench; Royal Navy battleship HMS Irresistible sinking after striking a mine at the Battle of the Dardanelles; a Vickers machine gun crew with gas masks, and German Albatros D.
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Allies spelled with a capital "A", usually denotes the countries who fought together against the Central Powers in World War I (see Triple Entente or Allies of World War I), or those who fought against the Axis Powers in World War II.
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Portuguese Colonial War (Portuguese: Guerra Colonial), also known as Overseas War in Portugal (Portuguese: Guerra do Ultramar) or, among some guerrilla sympathizers,
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Motto
"Virtus Unita Fortior" (Latin)
"Unity Provides Strength"
Anthem
Angola Avante! (Portuguese)
Forward Angola!
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Coordinates: Goa pronunciation (help info ) (Konkani: गोंय goṃya; Marathi:
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Motto
none
Anthem
PÃ¡tria Amada
(formerly Viva, Viva a FRELIMO)

Capital
(and largest city) Maputo

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Portuguese Guinea was the name for what is today Guinea-Bissau from 1446 to September 10, 1974.

Though the country had claimed the area four years earlier, Portuguese explorer Nuno TristÃ£o sailed around the coast of West Africa, reaching the Guinea area in about 1450,
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Timor<nowiki />

Political Division of Timor

Geography <nowiki/>
Location South East Asia
Coordinates <nowiki />
Archipelago
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Motto
"Jedna lasta, men' s' čini proljeće"
Anthem
Intermeco

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Capital Priština (Prishtin)
Official languages Albanian, Serbian, English
Ethnic groups (2007) 92% Albanians
5.
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This page has been semi-protected from editing to deal with vandalism.
Semi-protection is not an endorsement of the current version. To see other versions, view the [ page history].
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Comandos are a special forces unit in the Portuguese Army. Their motto is "Audaces Fortuna Juvat" (The Luck Protects the Bold) and their war cry is "MAMA SUMAE" (it can be translated as "here we are, ready for the sacrifice" - taken from a Bantu tribe of southern Africa).
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Rapid Reaction Brigade), is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente (Independent Airborne Brigade) until 2006.
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Portuguese Army

Information about Portuguese Army

History

National defence

Foreign campaigns

Peace missions

Order of battle

Central structure

Base Units

Equipment

Light Firearms

Heavy Firearms

Mortars

Tanks

Artillery

Anti-Air Artillery

Tactical Vehicles

Heavy Vehicles

Armour

Helicopters

Other

See also

External links