Portugal and Albania have joined the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), says the German Defence ministry on WhatsApp
With these new entries, the project now counts with 23 nations, another increase from the original 15 that started the program in October 2022 upon the German proposal for a joint procurement of air defence systems to bolster European defence amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Under ESSI, a nation can procure a multi-layered air defence network. The program encompasses short-range solutions in the Skyranger 30, medium range solutions with the Iris-T SLM, long range systems with the Patriot, and lastly the Israeli made Arrow 3.
Portugal joining ESSI two years after its start could indicate a willingness to acquire a medium range air defence system; the Portuguese Army has long wanted such a battery and has one present (albeit only on paper) under the order of battle of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the Intervention Brigade. However, since its addition to the order of battle in 2009 no system was ever procured.
In October 2024, the Portuguese Army Chief of Staff, General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão, stated in an interview with CMTV that there was the need to complement the recent purchase of RapidRanger with a medium range air defence system.