Tankograd Missions & Manouevres 7022 - Vehicles of the Modern Portuguese Army

Published work - Portuguese magazines

Published work in Portuguese magazines focuses mainly national military projects such as the
Portuguese-built Chaimite armoured vehicle or the Berliet-Tramagal family of military trucks, both deployed in combat operations in Africa, and units from the Portuguese Navy.

MOTOR CLÁSSICO ::  monthly :: classic cars 

Portuguese-built models:
Berliet-Tramagal GBC and GBA military trucks (MC 60)
UMM light tactical vehicles (MC 53)
Bravia Gazela, Leopardo and Pantera military trucks (MC 27 and 28)
Bravia Chaimite armoured vehicles (MC 22 and 23)

Foreigh models:
Daimler Ferret Mk II light armoured vehicle (MC 73)
M113 family of tracked armoured vehicles (MC 70)
Shorland Mk III patrol armoured car (MC 67)
M48 A5 Patton main battle tank (MC 65)
Panhard EBR and ETT wheeled armoured vehicles (MC 62)
M47 Patton main battle tank (MC 55)

SIRIUS :: bimonthly :: aviation and space

Plane spotting in Switzerland (November 2012)
Saab Gripen JAS-39 E/F selected by the Swiss Air Force (March 2012)
Sion Air Show 2011 (November 2011)

REVISTA DE MARINHA :: bimonthly :: naval subjects

D. Francisco de Almeida frigate, Dutch Karel Doorman class (February 2011)
Navy Day 2010 in Portimão (May 2010)
New Tridente submarine, U-209PN model (November 2010)
Cassiopeia patrol boat, Surveilling the seas at fast speed (February 2010)

VEGA :: bimonthly :: naval subjects

The Navy Helicopter Squadron (EHM), Sailing across the skies (August 2008)

TOPOS & CLÁSSICOS :: monthly :: classic vehicles

Bravia Comando Mk III, Portuguese-built armoured patrol car (January 2009)

SEGURANÇA E DEFESA :: quarterly :: national security and defense

Portuguese Army (November 2007) 

Published work - Foreign magazines

Published work in foreign magazines focuses naturally units and equipments operated by the Portuguese Armed Forces. Besides works published with the Brazilian magazine Tecnologia & Defesa and Defesa Net these are some of the main works published since 2007:

Fuerzas Militares del Mundo :: Spain :: monthly

Distributed Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Peru and USA

Viana do Castelo class, Portuguese-built Offshore Patrol Vessels (April 2011)
The Portuguese fleet of C-295M transport aircrafts (Jannuary 2011)
The new Trident submarine class, U-209PN model (October 2010)
The Brigada de Intervenção, the medium brigade of the Portuguese Army (April 2010)

The Navy Helicopter Squadron (EHM), Portuguese Navy (May 2009)

The CTOE, Center of Special Operations Troops, Portuguese Army (May and June 2008)

The Portuguese Army (November and December 2007)

Tankograd Militärfahrzeug :: Germany :: quarterly

Chaimite, Portuguese-built armoured vehicle (April 2010)  

Chaimite: Second article published

Following a first part published in the December issue, the Portuguese magazine Motor Clássico has published on its Jannuary issue, the second part of a work covering the history of the portuguese-built Chaimite armoured vehicle.

Among the topics covered are the operational deployment of the Chaimite fleet in the Colonial War during the 1970s and the peacekeeping operations of the 1990s, details from foreign users , the Portuguese Marines fleet inclunding the history of the Armada 90 vehicle as well as other unknown aspects and curiosities such as the current status of the Portuguese and foreign vehicles or the destiny of the vehicles and prototypes.
These two articles are the result of several months of field research which has included interviews, research on archives, military units and press as part of the Chaimite Research Project. Main references and sources are indicated in the second part.

Pedro Monteiro

Chaimite: First article published

The Portuguese magazine Motor Clássico has published on its December issue, the first part of the history of the portuguese-built Chaimite armoured vehicle which has been in operation with both Portuguese and foreign military and security forces since the 1970s.

This first article comprises topics such as the context which surround the development of the project, the first years of production, other projects developed by the Bravia-VM (e.g., the Leopardo truck and the Comando Mk III security vehicle) as well as a technical description of the Chaimite. Other topics will have further development in the second part of this work.
The article is the result of several months of field research which has included interviews, research on archives, military units and press as part of the Chaimite Research Project.

Pedro Monteiro

Chaimite Project: A visit to Escola Prática de Cavalaria

On the first week of February, I have visited the Escola Prática de Cavalaria (EPC, Practical School of Cavalry) as part of the research which I am doing about the Chaimite and the Bravia-VM (please, check my last post). More recently, as part of the new organization of the Portuguese Army, the EPC has been moved from Santarém to Abrantes, where it was located a former infantry regiment.

Besides, this was a good opportunity to photograph some of the armoured vehicles which have served in the portuguese Cavalry (and that are preserved in Abrantes), as well as the present armoured fleet. In fact, the EPC has already in service the new Pandur II 8x8 armoured vehicle.

One of the new Pandur II 8x8 received by the EPC in the right side of the photo. In the left side, we can see a Chaimite V-600 4x4 armoured vehicle [click to enlarge].

The french-built Panhard AML was a light armoured vehicle used in the Colonial War (1961-1974) in missions such as scort and reconnaissance. Some of the vehicles were upgraded in the 1980s with a new engine and systems and, finally, redraw from service in 2001-2002 [click to enlarge].

An impressive M48 A5 Patton main battle tank in the main gate of the EPC. It was used by the 1ª Brigada Mista Independente, now known as Brigada Mecanizada (mechanized infantary). They were replaced by the M60 A3 TTS [click to enlarge].

Though Portugal does not use horse cavalry any longer, the Portuguese Army still has the tradition of learning how to ride a horse [click to enlarge].

Pedro Monteiro

Scale of the USS Eisenhower at Lisbon

Between 12th and 16th May, the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) has made a technical scale in Lisbon, after a six months' mission in the Persion Gulf. Although the presence of an american aicraft carrier in a portuguese port is rare, in last November the USS Enterprise has made a technical scale at Lisbon. With the invitation of the American Embassy, I have made a visit to this ship in representation of Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

A look at the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) shows several models of aircrafts which operate from the warship, such as the case of the E-2C Hawkeye, the A/F-18 E/F Super Hornet and the EA-6B.

A Super Hornet of the VFA-103 Jolly Rogers.

A long line of Ike's F-18 Hornet fleet. The fighter force of the aircraft carrier has more combat aircrafts than many air forces around the world.

Always impressive is the E-2C, an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. Notice its radar antenna on the top of the aircraft.

Pedro Monteiro

Musée des Blindes de Saumur

In the french city of Saumur is a famous tank museum - the Musée des Blindes de Saumur (check here the official web site). The museum has the largest collection in the world of Second World War german tanks, as well as a significant number of vehicles (e.g., East Europe and First World War tanks) in working condition. The museum has more than 850 vehicles, a third of which work and 200 on permanent display. Usually, an exhibition with the working vehicles is organized in July. You may find that a vehicle referred in the website or here isn't occupying its designated spot because many of the vehicles are moved from time to time for maintenance.

For a complete history of the museum, the portuguese readers can check an article published on Jornal do Exército (the official magazine of the portuguese army) in 1981 (page 1 and page 2). In this link you can also check a scan that I made of a list and plan with the equipment on display. Finally, as an aditional suggestion, I would recommend the reading of this text by Michael J. Meese.
In the summer of 2003, I had the opportunity to make a visit - obviously, I took a few shots and filmed the vehicles in exposition. Here it's a sample of the shots that I took.

A point of interest in the collection is the diversity of vehicles from East Europe countries. Saumur's collection includes, for example, a T-34, T-54/55 and T-72 tanks; tracked PT-76 and BMP-1 and wheeled BTR-70 and BRDM-2 (photo) combat vehicles. In the photo a BRDM-2, a combat reconnaissance and patrol vehicle with a crew of 4 and 7 tons of weight.

An iraqui T-55 tank captured by french forces in the first Gulf War, 1991. Over 95.000 T-54/55 were produced, making it the most-produced tank series in history. The simplicity of these vehicles is due to two reasons: their production was easier and faster; the average lifetime of a tank in fight was less than 45 minutes, so it would be a waste of resources to improve this vehicles. Because of this, Varsaw Pact trusted in the superiority of the numbers over the quality of the material.

A french AMX-30B main battle tank with a mine clearing device, as used in the first Gulf War, 1991. When the french troops found large minefields in the iraqui battlefield they had to improvise: they've used mine rollers recovered from East Germany. These machines were operated by remot control.

A reconnaissance light tank Engesa EE-9 Cascavel Mk II. This 12 tons vehicle has a 90mm gun and its engine can achieve a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The vehicle of the collection was operated by Lybia. Along with Brazil, Lybia was the main operator of the Cascavel (400 vehicles purchased).

The german tanks used during Second World War are well represented. In the photo, a Panzer III armed with a 37mm gun. The collection includes, for example, a Panzer IV, Marder vehicles, a Tiger I, a Tiger II, a Panther, Jagpanther V OR an IV/70A tank destroyers and Schutzenpanzerwagen SD. KFZ 251/7 half-trancked vehicles.

A french army's Panhard VBL light armoured vehicle - note the characteristic
camouflage.

An AMX-30 Pluton, a modified version of the AMX-30 main battle tank for launch a tactical nuclear weapon (15 to 25 KT). The french army has withdrawn these vehicles from service due to the end of the Cold War.


[All the photographs were taken with a Nikon F65 and 28-80mm zoom lens and a Fuji Superia ISO 100 film; the use of a tripod, as well of the auto-focus would have improved them.]

Pedro Monteiro

Navy Day of 2006

The Dia da Marinha (Navy Day) in 2006 took place, in the city of Sines, on 20th May. This day celebrates the arrival of Vasco da Gama, by maritime travel, to India. The official cerimony included a demonstration of capabilities by the combat surface units and the Corpo de Fuzileiros (marines). The report was made for the Spanish magazine Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

A Vasco da Gama class frigate (Meko 200PN) supports with her organic Super Lynx helicopter the projection of the amphibious force. At second plan, the Berrio, the support ship of the portuguese Navy.

A portuguese marine, armed withe G-3 assault riffle with a 7,62mm caliber. The special operations unit uses the modern G-36K.

The official cerimony. In the official speach, the Chief of Navy Staff, Almirante Melo Gomes, has anounced that the third patrol ship (OPV) of the Viana do Castelo class would be named Sines. This ship is the first of the variant for pollution combat - the Navy will recieved two of these ships and other six of the patrol version. Currently, the first two ships of the classe are being constructed at Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) and will be delivery in 2008.

Former Minister of National Defence, Luís Amado, contacts with the unit of marines that made the demonstration.

A model of the U209PN submarine. In fact, this submarine is a U214. It will be armed with Black Shark heavy torpedos, MN 102 Murena mines and anti-ship missiles - probably the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon. It will have an AIP system that allows a higher range and discreteness. The portuguese navy will recieve in 2010, the first of the two submarines.

The anti-aircraft guns of Baptista Andrade class corvettes.

Pedro Monteiro

Rosa Brava 07

The portuguese Army has conducted in April an exercise involving its heavy brigade, the Brigada Mecanizada (Mechanized Brigade). The exercise, called Rosa Brava 07 has mobilized 1.230 men and 267 vehicles. In the same period, and also at Campo Militar de Santa Margarida, where the operational units of the Brigada Mecanizada are based, another exercise - Eficácia 07 - was conducted involving the artillery and fire support units of the portuguese Armed Forces. I made a report on 19th April for the spanish magazine Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

A M109 A5 howitzer in firing position.

M60 A3 TTS tanks of Brigada Mecanizada whose operation will probably end by 2008 with the reception of the new Leopard 2 A6, currently operated by The Netherlands.

A M60 main battle tank fires its 105mm gun.

The press received detailed explanations from the military evolved in the exercise. The new century has brought new challenges, such as the need of more cooperation with the press.

The following units have been involved on the operations:
Brigada Mecanizada (mechanized infantary); Brigada de Reacção Rápida (the operational and elite forces brigade, partipated with an unit of para-troops); Brigada de Intervenção (medium brigade, a cavalary unit was deployed); troops and equipment from Escola Prática de Artilharia and Regimento de Artilharia Nº 4; fire support units (mortars) from Regimento de Infantaria Nº 13, Regimento de Guarnição Nº 1 e Regimento de Guarnição Nº 3. The Navy deployed a fire support unit (mortars) of the Corpo de Fuzileiros (marines). In the case of the Air Force, F-16 OCU and Alpha-Jet fighters had made some missions, as the Alouette III helicopters in transport and logistic support role.

Na manhã do dia 19Abr07 realizar-se-á o Distinguished Visitors Day destes exercícios, que incluirá uma demonstração do Pelotão de Aquisição de Objectivos e Pelotão de Defesa NBQ e um exercício táctico com fogos reais, integrando ossistemas funcionais de Combate, Apoio de Combate, Apoio de Fogos e Apoio de Serviços orgânicos das Unidades participantes nos exercícios. Desde 13Abr07 até 20Abr07, decorrem no Campo Militar de Santa Margarida (CMSM) e de forma integrada, os Exercícios “ROSA BRAVA 07” (exercício da Brigada Mecanizada) e “EFICÁCIA 07” (exercício do Comando Operacional do Exército).

Pedro Monteiro

Pedro Monteiro: Photography and Reports

Pedro Monteiro has published articles in Portuguese magazines such as Motor Clássico, Vega and Sirius as well as foreign magazines such as Fuerzas Militares del Mundo (Spain, www.fuerzasmilitares.com), Tankograd Militärfahrzeug (Germany) and Tecnologia & Defesa (Brazil).

More recently, he published