Portugal looks to procure new replenishment ship within wider naval modernisation programme
Victor Barreira, Istanbul - IHS Jane's Navy International
01 September 2016
NRP Bérrio, received second-hand from the United Kingdom, is planned for replacement. Source: Victor Barreira
Key Points
Portugal is considering the acquisition of a replenishment tanker
A vessel could be acquired second-hand from countries renewing their naval fleets
The Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (MND) is considering the purchase of a new auxiliary replenishment oiler (AOR) vessel for the Marinha Portuguesa, in an effort to renew the navy's at-sea support capability.
Up to EUR20 million (USD22 million) has been allocated to fund an acquisition programme that is expected to run between 2021-23, within Portugal's military planning programme for the period spanning 2015-26.
Along with providing logistics support to Portuguese naval units, the new ship will support NATO naval operations, other multinational missions, and training activities.
The vessel will replace the in-service AOR, NRP Bérrio (A 5210). Commissioned originally into the UK Royal Navy in 1970 as RFA Blue Rover (A 270), the ship was purchased from the UK's Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in March 1993.
It is not known if Portugal is considering the acquisition of a second-hand or a new-build ship, or if both solutions remain under consideration at this stage.
Across the entire fleet, a total of EUR1 billion has been allocated to modernise the navy in the period up until 2026. This corresponds to 32% of the EUR3.1 billion to be spent on armed forces modernisation as a whole across that timeframe.
Two more Viana do Castelo-class (NPO 2000) offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) were ordered in July 2015 for EUR77 million. The ships, NRP Sines (P 362) and NRP Setúbal (P 363), are scheduled for delivery in June and December 2018 respectively.
The navy's three Vasco da Gama-class (MEKO 200 PN) and two Bartolomeu Dias-class frigates will undergo mid-life upgrade work in the 2016-24 period under a EUR295.8 million work budget.
The four Tejo (Flyvefisken)-class patrol ships, NRP Tejo (P 590), NRP Douro (P 591), NRP Mondego (P 592), and NRP Guadiana (P 593) (acquired from Denmark in 2014), are being modernised by Portuguese shipyard Arsenal do Alfeite.
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