By JOSÉ GARRANCHO
For the sixth consecutive year, an international maritime-aerial military training exercise involving countries from southern Europe and northern Africa was carried out, this time off the Portimão coast.
Under Portuguese command, the exercise also included the participation of Spanish and Moroccan forces and a Tunisian intervention team.
The defence initiative, nicknamed ‘5+5’ as it comprised five countries from each continent, aimed to develop the planning and coordination capacities of the various military forces working together.
It also helped to promote the exchange of information and the adoption of strategic defence procedures among the participating countries which share common ground.
The exercise was carried out under the command of captain of sea and war, José Croca Favinha, and included the Vasco da Gama frigate, a Tridente-class submarine, various helicopters, reconnaissance planes and intervention teams.
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The scenario created for the exercise involved the interception and detention of a ship originating from South America which carried weapons destined for terrorist groups, and was assisted by a Portuguese fishing vessel also involved in the trafficking operation.
After various spectacular manoeuvres, which kept the audience hooked (including the ministers of defence from Portugal, Spain and Morocco, and high-ranking officers from the participating countries), the objective was
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achieved.
A noteworthy contribution to the success of the exercise came from the Portuguese marines, who efficiently descended from a Lynx helicopter onto the ‘enemy ship’.
