Portuguese Navy

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Portuguese naval jack

The Portuguese Navy (Portuguese: Marinha Portuguesa, also known as Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa or as Armada Portuguesa) is the naval branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal.

[edit] History

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The Portuguese Navy history is connected to the history of Portugal. The first known battle of the Portuguese Navy was in 1180, during the reign of Portugal's first king, Afonso I of Portugal. The battle occurred when a Portuguese fleet commanded by D. Fuas Roupinho defeated a Muslim fleet near Cape Espichel.

In 1312, King Denis of Portugal decides to give, for the first time, a permanent organization of Royal Navy, with Manuel Pessanha being nominated for the first Admiral of the Kingdom.

At the end of the 14th century, more Portuguese discoveries are being made, with the Navy having a main roll in the exploration of the oceans and the defense of the Portuguese Empire. It was the first oceanic navy power.

[edit] Ships and weapon systems

The main weapons systems of the Portuguese Navy are:

[edit] Surface Vessels

NRP Álvares Cabral (F-331) participates in an exercise with USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The ship is participating in Majestic Eagle, a multinational exercise being conducted off the coast of Morocco.

• Frigates
  • 2 João Belo class
  • 3 Vasco da Gama class
• Corvettes
  • 4 João Coutinho class
  • 3 Baptista de Andrade class
• Patrol Boats
  • 4 Cacine class
  • 2 Albatroz class
  • 10 Argos class
  • 4 Centauro class
  • 1 Rio Minho class

[edit] Submarines

• 1 Albacora

[edit] Auxiliary Vessels

• NRP Bérrio (former-Royal Fleet Auxiliary Blue Rover) fleet oiler
• NRP Schultz Xavier oil recovery ship
• NRP Sagres sail training ship
• UAM Creoula sail training ship
• UAM Polar sail training ship
• UAM Vega sail training ship
• Landing craft
  • 1 Bombarda class
• Survey vessels
• 1 NRP D. Carlos I, ocean survey vessel
• 2 Andrómeda class, coastal survey vessel

[edit] Aircraft

• 5 Super Lynx Mk.95 helicopters

[edit] Future Developments

• 10 offshore patrol vessels of the Viana do Castelo class (NPO 2000).
• 2 submarines of 214/209PN, one more optional.
• 2 frigates of the Karel Doorman class.
• 1 amphibious transport dock designed by HDW.

[edit] See also

• Military history of Portugal
• Fuzileiros, Portuguese Navy Marine Corps
• Destacamento de Acções Especiais, naval commando unit
• Destacamentos de Mergulhadores Sapadores, combat divers unit.
• Ship prefix
• Pennant number

[edit] External links

• Marinha Portuguesa, official website.