Today the Portuguese Minister of Defense visited Guarda for the ongoing celebrations of Army Day, from the 22nd of October to the 27th the branch is displaying a series of vehicles and capabilities in its Army-Expo.
The highlight of the day was the signing of a framework agreement between Portugal and France for the purchase of up to 36 Caesar artillery systems until 2034.
Given the given date of up to 2034 and miniature present at the signing table, it may be assumed that Portugal will be become the 4th user of the Caesar NG, after Belgium, Lithuania and France.
Portuguese Army Chief of Staff, General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão stated the following about the signed deal:
“The protocol signed today provides for the acquisition of up to 36 of these pieces of equipment. The aim is for all Portuguese artillery to be equipped with the same weapon system, unlike now, when we have three different systems with all the logistical and operational implications that this brings”.
The investment figure wasn’t stated but Mendes Ferrão stressed that all would be delivered until 2034 and that the funds are in the Military Programming Law, which has 60 million euros until 2026.
The Portuguese Army counts with three Artillery Battalions across its three Brigades, 18 M109A5 are in service with the Mechanized Brigade, 12 M114A1 howitzers are with the Intervention Brigade and 18 M119 Light Guns serve in the Rapid Reaction Brigade.
Sources:
https://www.exercito.pt/pt/informacao-publica/noticias/7511
https://ointerior.pt/sociedade/ministro-da-defesa-na-guarda-para-dia-do-exercito