Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo is set to be questioned today in the Assembleia da República, the country's parliament, regarding the acquisition of three frigates from Italy. The inquiry, initiated by the PSD and CDS-PP parties, along with the Chega party, was approved unanimously on September 8 by the parliamentary defence commission. This development comes amid significant controversy surrounding the 3.9 billion euro deal, part of the European Union's SAFE instrument.
The SAFE instrument, or Instrument of Action for the Security of Europe, is a substantial investment in defence, totalling 5.8 billion euros. The deal to purchase three new-generation frigates from Italian company Fincantieri, with delivery expected in 2029, has faced criticism from several parties. The Chega and PS parties have expressed concerns over the government's handling of the process, citing a lack of transparency.
Prior to Melo's appearance, parliamentarians will discuss the inclusion of a presentation on the SAFE instrument, accompanied by an explanatory intervention from an unnamed admiral. This request was made by Melo himself. The controversy surrounding the frigate acquisition intensified following a report by the online newspaper 24Horas in August. The report alleged that the sudden exclusion of Portuguese company NTG from the deal resulted in a loss of 90 million euros in commissions.
The Ministry of National Defence has rejected the premises of the 24Horas report, stating that the process involves direct negotiations between the Portuguese and Italian states, not with private companies. According to the ministry, no Portuguese company was ever involved in the negotiations. NTGroup, the parent company of NTG, also clarified that it was not part of the formal intergovernmental negotiation team and did not participate in the final meetings for the frigate acquisition.
Melo has announced plans to pursue legal action against the 24Horas newspaper, as well as Chega party leader André Ventura and deputy Pedro Frazão. The trio had raised suspicions of corruption and "negotiations" on social media. The PS party has declared its intention to push for the establishment of a subcommittee to monitor the SAFE instrument, holding the government accountable for the controversies.
The acquisition of the Italian frigates is part of Portugal's efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. The deal has significant implications for the country's defence strategy and has sparked a heated debate about the use of EU funds for defence purposes. As Melo faces questioning in parliament, he will need to address concerns about transparency and the management of the acquisition process.
The outcome of today's hearing and the ongoing debate about the SAFE instrument will likely have far-reaching consequences for Portugal's defence policy and its relationships with European partners. Key points to watch include the level of transparency provided by Melo, the future of the frigate acquisition, and the potential impact on Portugal's defence capabilities.
Key points
- Portugal's Defence Minister Nuno Melo to face scrutiny over 3.9 billion euro frigate deal
- Controversy surrounds handling of SAFE instrument, with concerns over transparency
- Acquisition of Italian frigates part of 5.8 billion euro investment in defence
