The proposal for a military programming law approved this Thursday by the Council of Ministers provides for a total investment amount of 5,570 million euros until 2034, which represents “an increase of 17.5% compared to the law in force”.
In a statement, the Ministry of National Defense, under the supervision of Helena Carreiras, summarizes the proposal for a Military Programming Law (LPM), approved today by the Council of Ministers, which provides for public investment in means and equipment for the armed forces in the period between 2023 and 2034.
“The global investment amount is 5,570 million euros, which represents a growth of 17.5% compared to the law in force (more than 830 million euros),” says the note, indicating that this is the “highest LPM ever” .
With regard to “eliminating the shortfalls in maintenance, support and modernization of existing resources”, the proposal foresees an investment of 2,418 million euros, which corresponds to 43% of the total foreseen in the government document. This item, according to the ministry, has “an investment increase of more than 96% compared to that provided for in the current LPM”.
According to the government, the “most expressive growth” of the bill will occur in the first four years, the equivalent of 17%, “to meet identified needs”.
As for the amount earmarked to replace war reserves, the ministry writes that “more than doubles, Growing 108% compared to the amount currently registered, for investments of about 300 million euros”.
In the first four years, he continues, “investment in ammunition, missiles, torpedoes and explosives has exceeded 125 million euros”.
According to the Ministry of Defense, this is the for the first time that the LPM covers the “five operational domains: land, sea, air, cyber and space”.
They are EUR 50 million is planned for space, and in cyber defense this is ‘reinforced by 39%’, with the total for this heading exceeding EUR 70 million.
This bill, according to the ministry, continues investment in structuring projects “and adds one more, Close Support Aircraft”. The remaining seven projects are “the KC-390 aircraft, cyber defense, the support, protection and evacuation helicopters, the Ocean Patrol Vessels, the Multipurpose Logistic Vessel, the Fleet Replenisher Vessel and the Soldier Combat System”.
“A return to the national economy of about 33% is expected,” the note reads.
This revision of the LPM “contemplates 35 different military capabilities, over a hundred projects and about 400 sub-projects”.
In this bill, the government maintains “major ongoing projects that contribute to capacity building resulting from international commitments” at both NATO and European Union levels.
“Examples of these commitments include Medium Infantry Brigade and anti-submarine warfare projects, as well as Permanent Structured Cooperation projects,” the note reads.
The Ministry of Defense adds that the draft law approved today by the Council of Ministers, which will be forwarded to the Assembly of the Republic, “is the result of a process of deep reflection and discussion within the Government and the National Defense, and obtained a unanimous favorable opinion in the Supreme Council of National Defense”.
The government today approved in the Council of Ministers the proposal for a law on military programming for the period between 2023 and 2034, a diploma that stands for public investment in the maintenance, equipment and armaments of the armed forces.
The proposal for a Military Infrastructure Act (LIM) was also approved today. The two initiatives will be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic and to be viable they need the approval of an absolute majority of deputies, 116.
Source: DN
