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Further Reading

Ministerio da Defesa Nacional / Ministry of National Defence

National Defence, in essence, is an integrated strategy put into practice by Portugal to guarantee its unity, sovereignty and independence, the welfare and the prosperity of the Nation, the unity of the Nation and the normal performance of its tasks, the liberty of political action of the sovereignty organs and the regular functioning of the democratic institutions, according to the National Constitution.

National defence is a wide and consensual concept requiring the commitment of the citizens, of the society and of the political powers, in order to maintain and reinforce security and to create conditions for the prevention and fighting against any external threats, which directly or indirectly may oppose the pursuance of national goals. Therefore, it has a global scope, integrating military and non-military components.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the governmental department whose main role is to prepare and implement the National Defence policy, within the competencies laid down on the "Law of National Defence and Armed Forces". The Minister of Defence is also responsible for the management and control of the Armed Forces and related Agencies. He is responsible as well for an integrated Sea Affairs policy in cooperation with relevant ministers.

Major duties of the Ministry of Defence are:

• To take part in the definition of the National Defence Policy and formulate and implement its military component;
• To ensure the management and control of the Armed Forces;
• To assure the means and resources for the Armed Forces and supervise their employment;
• To define, implement and coordinate policies concerning personnel, equipment and financial resources;
• To coordinate and provide guidance on matters related to National military commitments within international organisations and agreements without impinge on the regular tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• To prepare the annual budget of the Ministry, and give guidance for the drafting of the "Military Procurement Law" and supervise its implementation;
• To contribute for the funding of defence related activities through subsidy attribution and programme-connected transfers;
• To promote studies, research, technological development and dissemination of matters of interest to National Defence;
• To assure the security of sensitive information both in Portugal and in national representations abroad;
• To exert the tasks assigned within the National Intelligence System;
• To provide support to the Higher Council of National Defence and to the Prime-Minister in the framework of his responsibilities regarding National Defence and Armed Forces.