Established 2000, the Portuguese Army Light Aviation Group (GALE, Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército ) was the air branch designed to operated under the command of the ground forces. Orders were issued for new EC635 helicopters, with Portugal being the launch customer for the armed EC135, and NH90 TTH. In 2006 it was renamed as the Army Light Aviation Unit (UALE, Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército ) but was it disbanded in 2015 before receiving any of the new aircraft
News about Exército Português |
23-Aug-02 - Portugal cancelled the EC635 helicopters contract for the Portuguese Army
21-Jun-01 - Le Bourget, Paris - The Armament Directors of France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands and the State Secretary of Portugal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Le Bourget on June 21, 2001, to include Portugal as fifth European Nation in the NH90 Programme. Portugal will purchase 10 NH90 helicopters for Tactical Transport missions and will become a member of NAHEMO (NATO Helicopter Management Organisation, comprising the Steering Committee and NAHEMA, the NATO Helicopter Management Agency), the government authority which controls the programme.
Model Types |
Model | Del'd | From | To |
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NHI NH90 TTH cancelled | | 2001 | 2012 |
EC EC635T2 cancelled | | 2001 | 2002 |