The Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, stated on Thursday that the government has yet to decide on a new location for the Shooting Range, currently in Alcochete, which must be relocated because of the construction of Lisbon’s new airport.
“At this moment, there is no location for the new Shooting Range. A technical study will be conducted by qualified entities to present the possibilities for its location,” he told reporters during a visit to Air Base No. 8 in Ovar, Aveiro district, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, who spoke about helicopters serving the health sector.
Regarding the government’s preferences, the minister explained that a political evaluation will be conducted later, based on the study’s findings. “In accordance with these technical guidelines. The decision on the new Shooting Range is not based on political will but on technical feasibility,” he assured.
Dismissing the notion of predetermined locations, Nuno Melo was asked if there were limitations on the choice, such as whether it could be anywhere in the country. “It seems evident that a Shooting Range cannot just be any spot in the country. It’s obviously not feasible to have a shooting range in the middle of a city,” he replied, indicating that the study will determine where it “can be placed,” considering the requirements.
