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Portugal to Provide $245 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine in 2025

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Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
Portugal to Provide $245 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine in 2025
A Leopard 2 tank during a ceremony staged by the Portuguese Armed Forces to commemorate NATO’s 70th Anniversary on April 04, 2019, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Source: Getty Images)

Portugal will continue supporting Ukraine in 2025 as part of its ongoing commitments, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo announced, according to local media outlet Correio da Manhã on March 9.

According to Melo, Lisbon will allocate $245 million (€226 million) this year to assist Ukraine, covering both direct arms transfers and the procurement of additional military equipment.

Beyond its bilateral contributions, Portugal remains an active participant in broader European defense initiatives.

In 2024, it contributed $56.5 million (€52 million) to the UK-Latvia-led drone coalition, which aims to bolster Ukraine’s unmanned aerial capabilities.

Additionally, Portugal allocated $108.5 million (€100 million) to the Czech-led initiative for purchasing artillery shells.

Portugal has already provided Ukraine with a wide range of military aid, including:

  • Leopard 2A6 tanks.

  • M113 armored personnel carriers (various configurations).

  • Ka-32 and SA-330 helicopters.

  • 60mm and 120mm mortars with ammunition.

  • 105mm artillery systems and shells.

  • Winter gear and military equipment.

  • Firearms, grenade launchers, and various-caliber ammunition.

Portugal also played a role in training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighter jets and was one of the first countries to support the international training program.

In May 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security cooperation agreement with Portugal’s prime minister. This agreement is expected to enhance military and economic collaboration between the two nations, strengthening Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities.

Earlier, Portugal dispatched six Ka-32 firefighting helicopters to Ukraine. The Ministry of National Defense of Portugal noted that the helicopters' delivery followed “a prolonged period of uncertainty and negotiations.”

The transfer was coordinated between the Portuguese government and the Ukrainian authorities, including Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and its embassy in Lisbon.

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