Mechanized Brigade (Portugal) Explained

The Mechanized Brigade (Portuguese: Brigada Mecanizada) or BrigMec is a mechanized infantry brigade in service with the Portuguese Army.[1]

History

The 3rd Infantry Division (3ª Divisão de Infantaria or Divisão Nun´Álvares) was created and assigned to NATO in 1953.

The Nun Alvares Division adopted an almost totally U.S. organization (and equipment), including around 20,000 men, with three infantry regiments (each reinforced with a squadron of tanks), a divisional tank battalion, three field artillery battalions and anti-aircraft, engineering, signal and logistical units. To serve as a training base for the division, the large Santa Margarida Military Camp was built. As the Nun'Álvares Division started to be mainly maintained by the 3rd Military Region (headquartered in Tomar), from 1955, it began to be officially designated as the 3rd Division.

In 1960 the "Nun Alvares" Division's organization was changed from three tactical groupings, based on infantry regiments, to three LANDCENT-type infantry brigades. In 1961 the 3rd Division organized its last large maneuvers. From 1961, the Portuguese Army's effort focused primarily on the Overseas War, with the division entering a decline.

In 1968–1976, studies were carried out to update Portugal's ground contribution to NATO for a force of different characteristics from the 3rd Division. This took form with the 1st Independent Composite Brigade (1ª Brigada Mista Independente, 1ª BMI), established in 1976. After the end of the Cold War, the brigade was redesignated the Independent Mechanized Brigade (Brigada Mecanizada Independente), which then became the Mechanized Brigade in 2006.

International missions

List of units

The Mechanized Brigade differs from the army's other two brigades as its units aren't provided by regiments. All units of the Mechanized Brigade are part of the Mechanized Brigade at all times and are all based at the Santa Margarida Camp. The following units are part of the Mechanized Brigade:[5]

Equipment

Armored Vehicles
NameOriginNumberImageNotes
Main battle tanks
Leopard 2 A634Initially 37 units acquired in 2008, together with 1 unit for training and 1 unit in version 2 A4 for parts supply.[7] [8] In March 2023, 3 units were transferred to Ukraine in order to support the defensive effort against the Russian invasion.[9]
Armored tracked vehicles
M113A1/A2210255 M113A1/A2 APC received (208 in service).[10] 45 units sent to Ukraine as military aid.[11]
  • 101 M113A2 received from the United States in 1977
  • 104 M113A2 received from Netherlands in 1993
  • 50 M113A1/A1G received from Germany in 1994
M901A1 ITV4Initially 25 units would be received from the United States, but hydraulic problems were found in 21 units, so only 4 units were received in 1993 with 900 missiles.[12] [13]
M113 BGM-71 TOW17M113A2 equipped with anti-tank guided missile TOW 2.[14]
M5774968 M577A2 received (43 in service as command vehicles and 3 in service as ambulance vehicles).[15] [16] 2 units sent to Ukraine as military aid.[17]
  • 10 M577A2 received in 1995
  • 24 M577A2 received in 1997
  • 18 M577A2 received in 1998
  • 10 M577A2 received in 1999
  • 6 M577A2 received in 2000
M106A2 mortar carrier183 M106 and 15 M106A2, equipped with 107mm M30 mortar.[18] [19]
M125A1/A2 mortar carrier153 M125A1 and 12 M125A2, equipped with 81mm M29 mortar.[20] [21]
Self-propelled artillery
M109A518Self-propelled howitzer. In process of overhaul (little modernization and repair)[22]
M109A26The Portuguese Army currently has 6 M109A2 stored at the military base of Santa Margarida. These M109A2 are part of the war reserves of the Portuguese Army and can be prepared to enter the active service.[23]
Armoured recovery vehicles
M88A1/A1G Recovery Vehicle86 M88A1 and 2 M88A2G are in service since 1978.[24]
M578 light recovery vehicle2921 in service since 1995 and 8 in service since 1997.[25]
Armoured Engineering vehicles
Carro Blindado Lança Pontes M60 AVLB m/198144 are in service since 1981, operated by Engineer Company, (Companhia de Engenharia Combate Pesado or CEngCombPes).[26]
Armoured Training vehicles
Leopard 2 Driver Training Tank1One unit in service since 2008, used for training Leopard 2 A6 new drivers.[27] [28]
Special vehicles
M54824Used by the Mechanized Brigade to carry ammunition to the M109A5.[29] [30]
Armoured infantry mobility vehicles
HMMWV M1025A2Some units used by the Engineer Company (Companhia de Engenharia Combate Pesado or CEngCombPes)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notícia. 2021-09-29. www.exercito.pt. pt-PT.
  2. Web site: 2015-10-28 . Missões no Exterior . 2024-03-07 . UNIDADES DO EXÉRCITO PORTUGUÊS . pt-PT.
  3. Web site: 2021-01-14 . 118 militares portugueses partem para o Afeganistão . 2024-03-07 . SIC Notícias . pt.
  4. Web site: Portugal: Army preparing combat vehicle platoon to join NATO mission in Slovakia .
  5. http://www.exercito.pt/sites/BrigMec/Paginas/Organizacao.aspx Official Site of the Mechanized Brigade
  6. Web site: Brigada Mecanizada . Exército Português . 29 April 2021.
  7. Web site: Um Dia No Grupo de Carros de Combate . 2023-03-08 . Operacional . pt-PT.
  8. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  9. Web site: Donn . Natasha . 2023-03-08 . Portugal's three Leopard tanks in Germany heading to Ukraine . 2023-03-08 . Portugal Resident . en-GB.
  10. Web site: Kotowicz . Ana . Raio X às Forças Armadas . 2023-05-15 . Observador . pt-PT.
  11. Web site: PORTUGAL- MILITARY SUPPORT TO UKRAINE .
  12. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  13. Book: Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 1960 to 2020 . SIPRI Arms Transfers Database.
  14. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  15. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  16. Book: Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 1960 to 2020 . SIPRI Arms Transfers Database.
  17. Web site: Portugal Defense to give 5 M113 and M577 armored vehicles to Ukraine army . 2023-05-04 . www.armyrecognition.com.
  18. Book: Future, Artillery . Global Market Report 2019 . 2019 . 21.
  19. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  20. Book: Future, Artillery . Global Market Report 2019 . 2019 . 21.
  21. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  22. Web site: The Portuguese Army Material General Support Unit (UAGME) will carry out the overhaul of an initial six BAE Systems M109A5 self-propelled howitzers. A total of 18 M109A5s are fielded by the Field Artillery Group of the Mechanized Brigade (BrigMec).pic.twitter.com/Hwl7UL17kQ. Defence 360° . Victor Barreira /. 2020-02-13. @Defence360. en. 2020-05-30.
  23. Book: The Military Balance 2022 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2022 . 370–371.
  24. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  25. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  26. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  27. Web site: Um Dia No Grupo de Carros de Combate . 2020-04-26 . Operacional . pt-PT.
  28. Book: The Military Balance 2024 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2024 . 9781032780047 . 128.
  29. Web site: Exército Prepara-Se Para Grandes Exercícios Multinacionais . 2022-04-12 . Operacional . pt-PT.
  30. Book: Monteiro, Pedro . Vehicles of the Modern Portuguese Army Nº7022 . Tankograd - Mission & Manoeuveres . 2011 . Germany.

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