The President of the Republic has expressed sorrow over the death of Admiral José Saldanha Lopes, extending heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the Portuguese Navy, as noted in a statement on the Presidential website.
Saldanha Lopes, born in Lisbon on August 5, 1949, passed away on Friday at the age of 76.
In the statement, the President highlighted Saldanha Lopes as a distinguished figure in Portuguese military life, honored several times by the Portuguese State with the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ and the Military Order of Avis.
“His involvement in the rescue of civilians in Guinea-Bissau in 1998 was of particular significance,” the President noted.
Admiral Saldanha Lopes served as the Chief of Naval Staff from November 30, 2010, to November 2013.
José Saldanha Lopes entered the Naval School in 1968, specializing in communications, later becoming an instructor in this field.
He was promoted to senior officer in 1985 and served in several key positions, including the Naval Command, the Armed Forces Chief of Command in the Azores, the Naval Staff, the Atlantic Permanent Naval Force, the Portuguese Military Mission in Brussels, and as Chief of Staff of the Naval Command.
Promoted to Commander in 1992, he became the first Commander of the Navy Helicopter Squadron at the Montijo airbase in 1993.
In 1996, he took command of the frigate Corte Real, participating in the 1998 civilian rescue operation and peace restoration in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the 1999 ‘Allied Force’ Operation in Kosovo.
In 2006, he became Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and after promotion to Vice-Admiral, he served as Naval Commander and Commander of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR), positions he held until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff in 2010, following his promotion to Admiral.
Among other honors, he was awarded the title of Knight of the Military Order of Avis.
