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Portugal |
Current Title: | Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército |
Title in English: | Army Light Aviation Unit |
Abbreviation: | UALE |
Narrative Summary:
A helicopter equipped force is in the process of being established. Initially called the Grupo de Aviacao Ligeira de Exercito (GALE), it was later renamed to its present title. The order for nine EC.635s to serve as initial equipment was cancelled after a contractual dispute.
Key Dates: | ||
11 June 2001 | Army aviation force formally established. | |
2008 | First helicopters delivered - NH.90 transports. | |
2009? | First army aviation unit formally created. |
Current Status:
Future Plans:
Portuguese army helicopters will be used primarily for tactical transport, observation/liaison and close air support missions.
The order for 9 armed Eurocopter EC.635s has been cancelled, but a new contract for an armed helicopter may be placed during 2005.
Markings
National Insignia:
Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):
Unit/Base Aircraft Code System(s):
Main markingFin Flash
The main marking is displayed on the fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash is displayed on the tailfin. Army types carry the service title EXERCITO on the fuselage sides.
Portuguese army helicopters use the same serialling system as the air force - a unique five-figure number for each airframe.
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designation System(s):
Current Aircraft Inventory:
All-Time Aircraft Used List:
Aircraft NOT Used:
None - Manufacturers designations used
* on order.
Aircraft Type
Total
Del'd Total
Now Role
Origin
NHI NH.90 TTH
10*
10*
Transport
International
Aircraft Type
Quantity
Service Entry
Retirement
Origin
Eurocopter EC.635T1*
9
-
-
local
NHI NH.90TTH
10
2008
-
International
*Nine Eurocopter EC.135T1 helicopters were being to be upgraded to EC.635T1 standard by OGMA in 2001, but due to a contractual dispute the order was cancelled.
Organisation
Main Headquarters:
Current Organisational Structure:
Current Order of Battle:
Historical Orders of Battle:
All-Time Flying Units List:
Avendia Leite Vasconcelos 27, Alfagide, P-2700 Amodora.
The army aviation organisation is still being developed, although two helicopter squadrons are planned to be formed.
The planned army aviation organisation is as follows:
Squadron
Type
Base
Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército
Equadrilha de Reconhecimento
EC.635
Tancos
Equadrilha de Transporte
NH.90TTH
Tancos
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases:
All-Time Air Bases Used List:
All helicopters are to be operated from Tancos.
Not applicable.
More Information
Books:
To be added
Magazines:
To be added.
Websites:
Official Portuguese Army webpage
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First Created: 11 November 1995 - Last Revised: 22 May 2008
Copyright © 1995 John Hayles. e-mail: john@aeroflight.co.uk