EM&E Group of Spain has secured a contract through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to provide 47 remote weapon stations for the Portuguese Navy, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion across the European maritime defence market. The project is EM&E’s first large-scale procurement programme administered by NSPA.
As part of the deal, the company will deliver SENTINEL 2.0 and SENTINEL 30 naval weapon stations equipped with 12.7 mm and 30 mm armament options. The systems will be supplied in two separate phases and are intended to enhance the Portuguese Navy’s combat readiness and force protection capabilities.
The remotely operated weapon stations are designed for naval applications, allowing operators to engage surface and aerial threats from protected positions while improving battlefield awareness and crew survivability. EM&E noted that the SENTINEL family has already been successfully integrated on Spanish Navy platforms and deployed in several international naval programmes.
The procurement aligns with Portugal’s broader naval modernization strategy. Among its flagship initiatives is the NRP João II programme, under which the Portuguese Navy will receive Europe’s first dedicated drone carrier vessel from Dutch shipbuilder Damen in 2026.
Portugal is also contributing to advanced maritime innovation through participation in the European Defence Agency’s Swarm of Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles programme, which seeks to develop autonomous underwater drone swarms for reconnaissance, mine warfare, and seabed operations. Additionally, Turkey revealed in late 2025 that construction had begun on a new military ship destined for Portuguese naval service, further demonstrating the country’s commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities.
