A resolution published today in the Diário da República authorizes the National Republican Guard (GNR) to incur expenses for the years 2026 and 2027 to acquire a coastal patrol vessel, with a total maximum amount of nine million euros.
The resolution, signed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of State and Finance, states that the vessel acquisition will enhance the capabilities of the UCCF to address threats identified in maritime zones, including combating international drug trafficking, irregular immigration and human trafficking, smuggling and cross-border crime, terrorism and arms trafficking, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and maritime environmental crime.
The government justifies the purchase of a coastal patrol vessel by referencing the latest Schengen evaluation conducted on Portugal, which identified that the UCCF’s resources “require renewal due to their advanced age.”
The executive also highlights the “primary need to equip the maritime component of the UCCF with more resources” due to new competencies assigned to this unit as a border authority, a role it adopted after the dissolution of the Immigration and Borders Service, aiming “to ensure the integrity of the maritime border.”
The resolution indicates that the UCCF of the GNR is responsible for monitoring and controlling Portugal’s maritime and land borders, ensuring security and legality in all ports and coastal areas. This includes the supervision and interception of vessels, passengers, and goods, prevention and repression of illegal entry of people, and participation in international border control missions.
The UCCF/GNR is also tasked with housing and operating the National Coordination Center (CNC) of the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR), as well as managing and operating the Integrated Surveillance, Command and Control System (SIVICC), which is distributed along the coastline.
“Considering the need to ensure the integrity of the maritime border, it should be mentioned that the coastal patrol vessel will enhance the transversal component of the UCCF, namely the SIVICC, allowing it to be leveraged as a relevant tool in the internal and international framework for the integrated management of the maritime border,” emphasizes the government.
According to the resolution, of the nine million euros allocated for the purchase of the coastal patrol vessel, approximately 4.8 million euros are funded by European sources.
Among the various dozens of UCCF vessels of the GNR, the ‘Bojador’ boat, acquired in 2020 for about 8.4 million euros, stands out. At the time, it generated several criticisms due to duplicating means with the Navy.
