Spanish defence company EM&E Group has been awarded a contract to supply 47 naval remote weapon stations to the Portuguese Navy through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The award represents the company’s first major programme managed under NSPA and further strengthens its presence within the European naval defence sector.
Under the agreement, EM&E will provide SENTINEL 2.0 and SENTINEL 30 remote weapon stations in both 12.7 mm and 30 mm variants. Deliveries will be carried out in two phases, supporting the Portuguese Navy’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts.
Designed specifically for maritime operations, the SENTINEL systems enable crews to engage threats remotely while enhancing force protection, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness. According to EM&E, the weapon stations are already in service aboard Spanish Navy vessels and have also been selected for other international naval programmes.
The contract comes amid broader efforts by Portugal to strengthen its naval capabilities. One of the country’s most ambitious projects is the NRP João II, which is expected to become Europe’s first drone carrier warship. Built by Damen, the vessel is scheduled for delivery to the Portuguese Navy in the second half of 2026.
Portugal is also actively involved in the European Defence Agency’s Swarm of Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles initiative, a programme focused on developing autonomous underwater vehicle swarms for surveillance, mine countermeasure operations, and seabed missions in contested maritime environments. In addition, Turkey announced in November 2025 the commencement of construction work on a military vessel intended for the Portuguese Navy, highlighting Lisbon’s continued investment in modern naval capabilities.
