Portugal maintains constant monitoring of ships from the so-called Russian 'ghost fleet' within its territorial waters, with particular attention to the Madeira region. Surveillance is carried out using sensors, naval assets, and space observation systems.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General João Guilherme Rosado Cartaxo Alves, assured that these measures guarantee the security and control of national waters. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Madeira archipelago, emphasizing the crucial maritime and air routes that pass through it, as well as the vital submarine cables for international communications and economic transactions.
To enhance monitoring capabilities, Portugal plans to expand its military satellite constellation, with four more units scheduled for launch by 2027. This initiative aims not only for military surveillance but also for civilian support, including civil protection in disaster scenarios. Madeira's position, according to the General, requires high readiness from the military forces stationed in the region to defend sovereignty and respond to emergencies.
