Rome, July 20, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal is to acquire three new-generation Italian-built frigates, in an investment of around €3.9 billion, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced on Monday following a meeting in Rome with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni.

Accompanied on his visit to Rome – the first by a Portuguese head of government to Italy in 12 years – by the minister of foreign affairs, Paulo Rangel, and the defence minister, Nuno Melo, Montenegro announced at a joint press conference with Meloni the signing of agreements in the fields of foreign policy and defence, with the latter, concluded under the SAFE (Security Action Facility for Europe), providing for the acquisition of three multi-role «FREMM EVO» frigates, which are to be delivered to the Portuguese Navy between 2029 and 2030.

«This defence agreement we are signing today for the acquisition of three frigates represents an investment of approximately €3.900 billion. We are talking about capability – both Portuguese and European capability – to monitor our maritime resources and safeguard our strategic interests. It also involves safeguarding international navigation and the conditions for free and fair trade at a global level,» stated Montenegro.

«We are talking about science, we are talking about knowledge, we are talking about economic opportunities that extend far beyond these vessels. There is a range of industries and activities that work together to ensure these vessels are subsequently regarded as world-leading – so cutting-edge, in fact, that we chose to acquire them. We are talking about our strategy in Europe: to have greater autonomy and greater capacity, whilst at the same time achieving this by creating more jobs, better jobs, more business and better opportunities,» he continued.

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