The Portuguese Army today, for the first time and “successfully”, tested an attack drone and announced the creation of units specializing in drones and anti-drone systems, with reinforced training and recruitment in a bid for modern combat.
“We are preparing the future […] We successfully tested ‘attack drones’and it is a capability in which the Army is investing”, the Chief of the Army General Staff (CEME), General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão, told Lusa, at the Military Camp of Santa Margarida, Constância, in the district of Santarém.
O announcement comes on the day the Army tested, for the first time, an attack drone – also known as ‘loitering munition’ – in a multinational exercise with Spain and France, at a time considered unprecedented in the Portuguese land force.
“It means acquiring what already exists on the market, but also developing systems entirely made in Portugal, with national industry and technology”, added the person in charge, highlighting the commitment to innovation and technological autonomy.
O testing took place as part of the Strong Impact 2026 exercisethe largest annual artillery training, which brought together 417 soldiers, including from Spain and France, and included a live fire session with integration of unmanned systems.
This type of drone stands out for being able to remain in the air, identify targets in real time and attack only at the most appropriate momentallowing greater precision and less risk of collateral damage compared to traditional systems.
“What we see in current conflicts shows that fires remain relevant, but need to be modernized,” said Mendes Ferrão, pointing to a broader transformation of artillery and combat systems.
According to the general, this Modernization also includes the acquisition of new howitzers, anti-aircraft missiles and command and control systemsas well as the development of anti-drone capabilities, the first deliveries of which are expected from next year.
“Today, in a digitalized war, we need command and control systems that allow us to work in an integrated manner with other weapons and with our allies,” he stated.
In addition to the technological component, the head of the Army highlighted the training of military personnel as the main challenge, warning of the need to quickly adapt to new operational requirements.
“The big challenge is people, due to the need to guarantee not only quantity, but above all operational quality, and that is why we are investing heavily in training and capacity building adapted to new capabilities. At the same time, we have to quickly change processes, doctrines and procedures to integrate these systems and operate them effectively”, said the general.
The Army already has a unit dedicated to unmanned aerial systems, but now plans to expand the use of drones to different levelsfrom microdrones for field units to more complex systems operated by specialized teams.
Also present at the exercise, the director of Strong Impact, Colonel Nelson Rego, highlighted the pioneering nature of the initiative.
“We are one of the first NATO countries to acquire attack drones and today was the first time we tested this system, which gives us a competitive advantage,” he said.
According to the official, these systems represent “a drastic change” in procedures and doctrineallowing the commander to monitor and decide on the target until the last moment.
The exercise also included the use of surveillance drones developed by Portuguese companies, as part of partnerships with national industry to develop new military capabilities.
In an international context marked by conflicts, the Army Chief of Staff stated that the integration of drones, anti-drone systems and new artillery platforms is “essential to guarantee operational readiness and interoperability with NATO allies”.
