A few days ago we learned that Portugal was one of the first eight countries to have its investment plan approved in SAFE, the European program through which we will purchase 5.8 billion euros in military material through loans under so-called “favorable” conditions. We will get there under “favorable” conditions.
First let’s get to the good. In fact, Portugal is getting better and better at putting together everything needed to convince Brussels to send the check. In this case, a first tranche of 876 million.
Portugal formalized its candidacy for the program in November 2025, and presented eligible projects to the Commission in two categories: the first concerns ammunition, missiles, artillery systems, land combat capabilities, drones and cyber defense. The second covers anti-missile and air defense, naval capabilities, space assets and Artificial Intelligence.
The two most notable purchases under this program, for now, are three frigates from Italian Fincantieri (worth three billion euros) and the rehabilitation of almost 200 Pandur armored vehicles (a contract estimated by the government at 280 million euros).
Upon joining the program, in November, the Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, said that “there is no mystery” regarding “transparency” in the application of public resources. In fact, there was. In fact, there still is.
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