The Bartolomeu Dias, Ship of the Portuguese Republic (NRP), is set to return to the Lisbon Naval Base on Friday, August 22, after completing a NATO mission in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Pedro Sousa Costa, Deputy Chief of the Navy Staff.
Having departed for the Mediterranean Sea on April 28 to join the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative as part of Operation HIGHMAST, and to participate in the exercise MEDITERRANEAN STRIKE 25 (MEDSTRIKE 25), the frigate also attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR), participated in Operation Brilliant Shield, and joined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), as reported by the Portuguese Navy.
The Navy further noted that this group is “an integral part of the Standing Naval Forces (SNF), supporting the naval component of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), NATO’s high readiness combined force.”
“This mission is of particular significance in the current context of international instability, where Portugal reaffirms its presence and international credibility, contributing to European stability and security,” it emphasized.
Admiral Nobre de Sousa, Chief of the Navy Staff (CEMA), remarked that the Portuguese military would contribute to the protection of “critical underwater infrastructures” that “have been subjected to several attacks,” thus ensuring the force’s readiness as “the most prepared naval force of the Atlantic Alliance.”
“Portugal is doing what is requested by the Atlantic Alliance. There are even countries with navies more capable than the Portuguese Navy that do not participate as regularly as we do. Therefore, for a country currently with two operational frigates able to meet NATO’s highest standards of demand, this contribution is significant and often more valued abroad than we sometimes realize,” he said.
Nobre de Sousa stressed that through participation in this mission, Portugal is not only “fulfilling international obligations” but also asserting its presence, competence, and “firm commitment to collective defense and global security.”
“I know they will represent Portugal with dignity, competence, and the spirit of mission that has always characterized Portuguese sailors. (…) They will be guardians of peace and security in a world that needs more than ever stability, tolerance, and cooperation,” he stated.
The NRP Bartolomeu Dias is commanded by Commander Elias Cagarrinho and has a crew of 169 military personnel.
