Portugal and Italy sign declaration of intent to cooperate in defense industry

The Portuguese Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, and his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, signed a declaration of intent this Wednesday to cooperate in the military sector industry, at a time when the Iberian country intends to purchase three frigates. Even so, Melo assured the press after the memorandum signing ceremony at the São Julião da Barra fortress, on the outskirts of Lisbon, that he did not speak with Crosetto about “any specific equipment” and added that there are several options on the market. In a statement, the public company idD Portugal Defence informed of the signing today of a “declaration of intent” with the Italian Fincantieri that establishes “a new stage” in bilateral industrial cooperation in the defense sector.

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The Portuguese company explained that this commitment defines the basis for a “strategic” collaboration to promote and value the Portuguese defense industries and to develop joint initiatives to expand the investment plan in Arsenal do Alfeite, which is a Portuguese company that operates as a shipyard for ships, especially for the country’s Navy. The note adds that with this collaboration, Portugal and Italy reaffirm their determination to “deepen” mutual understanding and create development opportunities that consolidate the innovation and competitiveness of their defense industries. E