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Portuguese Army
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The Portuguese Army is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal.
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Encyclopedia
The Portuguese Army is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal. It is 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 Peninsular War 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 Expeditionary Corps 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. In 1961, the isolated and relatively small Portuguese Army suffered a defeat against a largely superior Indian Army in the colony of Portuguese India, which was subsequently lost to the Union of India in the same invasion.
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 led by the Army Chief of Staff and includes:
- Army Staff;
- Functional Commands:
- Training and Doctrine Command,
- Logistical Command,
- Personnel Command;
- Operational Command;
- Operational Formations and Military Zones:
- Rapid Reaction Brigade
- Mechanized Brigade
- Intervention Brigade
- Military Zone of Azores,
- Military Zone of Madeira,
- Main Military Schools:
- Military Academy,
- School of the Military Medical Service,
- Army Polytechnical School;
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:
- Artillery:
- Infantry:
- School of Infantry at Mafra,
- 1st Infantry Regiment at Tavira,
- 3rd Infantry Regiment at Beja,
- 8th Infantry Regiment at Elvas (in process of being disbanded, it will be replaced by a Military Museum),
- 10th Infantry Regiment at Aveiro
- 13th Infantry Regiment at Vila Real,
- 14th Infantry Regiment at Viseu,
- 15th Infantry Regiment at Tomar,
- 19th Infantry Regiment at Chaves
- Engineers:
- School of Engineers at Tancos,
- 1st Engineers Regiment at Lisbon,
- 3rd Engineers Regiment at Espinho
- Communications:
- School of Communications at Oporto,
- Communications Regiment at Lisbon
- Logistical Services:
- Mixed:
Equipment
The Portuguese Army is equipped with light firearms, heavy firearms, mortars, tanks, artillery, anti-air artillery, tactical vehicles, heavy vehicles, armoured vehicles, helicopters and other equipments.
Light Firearms
Heavy Firearms
Mortars
Tanks
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
Tactical Vehicles
Heavy Vehicles
Armour
Helicopters
Others
See also
External links
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