Introduction

Over the past two decades Portugal has acquired military technologies from Israel’s three major arms manufacturers: Radars from IAI, Electronic Warfare and other aircraft systems from Elbit and Spike missiles along with Litening aircraft electro-optical pods from Rafael. Portugal has also acquired Israeli cyber technologies and built cyber training facilities with Israeli firms.

Israel Portugal Relations

Portugal and Israel established formal diplomatic relations in 1977. Four years earlier, during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Portugal played an indirect role by allowing U.S. aircraft to refuel in the Azores, enabling the American airlift of weapons and supplies to Israel.^[1]CTech, “Startups in Portugal and Israel are in a similar situation because the local market is not big enough”, 17.08.2025

Over the years, Israel and Portugal have maintained bilateral relations through visits, delegations, and a series of cooperation agreements. These include memorandums of understanding (MoU) in areas such as industrial R&D, science and technology, taxation, academics and more.^[2]Embassy of Israel in Lisbon, PORTUGAL AND ISRAEL’S BILATERAL RELATIONS, 10.01.2025^[3]CTech, “Startups in Portugal and Israel are in a similar situation because the local market is not big enough”, 17.08.2025 The Israel-Portugal Chamber of Commerce was established in November 2020 to promote business relations between Israel and Portugal.^[4]Israel-Portugal Chamber of Commerce, about us

In 2015 Portugal passed a law allowing the descendants of Jews expelled during the Inquisition to apply for citizenship. By 2022, around 60,000 Israelis had obtained Portuguese citizenship, with more than 20,000 applying in 2022 alone.^[5]The Times of Israel, Portugal says nearly 21,000 Israelis applied for citizenship last year, 02.09.2023

In 2023, Portugal’s parliament passed a resolution supporting Israel’s 75th anniversary of independence, advocating deeper economic and cultural ties, while calling for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict..^[6]The Times of Israel, In first Portuguese parliament passes resolution supporting Israel, 19.05.2023

In July 2025, amid the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Portugal announced that it would consider recognizing a Palestinian state during that coming September’s United Nations General Assembly.^[7]The Times of Israel, Portugal says it will consider recognizing Palestinian state in September, 31.07.2025

Military and Security Relations

Military contacts between Israel and Portugal date back to the 1960s, when Israeli weapons were documented in Portugal’s colonial war in Angola. In the past two decades, Portugal has procured systems from all three of Israel’s leading arms manufacturers: radars from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), electronic warfare and aircraft systems from Elbit Systems, and Spike missiles together with Litening targeting pods from Rafael, alongside Israeli cyber technologies. Beyond bilateral transactions, the two countries also cooperate in multilateral security frameworks, including Israel’s participation in NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue^[8]Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, Israel-NATO and joint involvement in Operation Gallant Phoenix, a U.S.-led initiative for intelligence sharing on the Islamic State.^[9]Wikipedia, Operation Gallant Phoenix^[10]Israel Hayom, Report: Israel part of operation to track Islamic State in Europe, 02.06.2018

During Portugal’s colonial war in Angola in the 1960s, before the two countries had established formal diplomatic ties, Israeli Uzi sub-machine guns were documented being used by both sides, the rebels and the Portuguese soldiers. A report from 1961 claimed Israeli Uzi sub-machine guns were sold to Portugal through West Germany. At that time the Israeli government denied this report and claimed “Israel will not sell weapons to a country fighting to maintain its colonial rule.”^[11]The 7 eye, Israel’s Cold War in Angola, 09.05.2024

Cooperation involving human rights violations did not end with Portuguese colonialism in Angola. In 2011, the city council of Lisbon gave the Israeli Embassy, among others, personal information about protesters who organized demonstrations outside its premises. In 2021 it was revealed this practice had continued for several years.^[12]The Times of Israel, Lisbon mayor: Israeli embassy among several given personal details on protesters, 18.06.2021

Between 2012 and 2022, Portugal issued over €13 million in export licences to Israel, most related to aircraft.^[13]Campaign Against Arms Trade, EU Export Data Browser

August 2015: Portugal selected the Litening Advanced Targeting pods, developed by the Israeli Rafael, for its upgrade of its fleet of F-16s.^[14]Defense Industry Daily, Portugal Selects LITENING AT Pods for Its F-16s, 13.08.2015^[15]Janes, Portugal’s Litening targeting pods set for upgrade, 12.08.2015

November 2018: Elbit Systems together with Portugal-based engineering firm Centre of Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA) won a framework contract to lease and operate its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol system and its ground control station for maritime patrol services contracted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The contract is for a two-year period, with an option for additional two, single years. The full value of the contract, including the options, is €59 million.^[16]The Times of Israel, Elbit wins drone contract for up to $68m to help monitor Europe coast, 01.11.2018

October 2019: Elbit further strengthened its role in Portugal’s defense sector, when it was awarded a $50 million contract to supply the Portuguese Air Force with a complete Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and Customer Logistics Support for the five new KC-390 aircraft. The Electronic Warfare suite includes Radar and Laser Warning Systems, IR Missile Warning System, Countermeasures Dispensing System, a Directional IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) system and Active ECM (AECM) POD system.^[17]Globes, Elbit Systems wins $50m contract with Portugese Air Force, 31.10.2019 In June 2025 Portugal announced it ordered a sixth KC-390 aircraft, with the contract including options for up to ten additional acquisitions by European nations or NATO members through government-to-government negotiations.^[18]Embraer, Portugal announces decision to acquire sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft and inclusion of ten new purchase options, 16.06.2025^[19]Flight Global, Portugal orders extra KC-390 and seeks allied partners for up to 10 more, 16.06.2025 It remains unclear whether the newly ordered aircraft will also be equipped with Elbit’s systems.

June 2024: Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announced that while he is not in favour of suspending the association agreement between Israel and the European Union (EU), he has issued an unfavorable opinion on the export of arms and ammunition to Israel.^[20]Portugal President, Portugal joins countries against export of arms and ammunition to Israel, 18.06.2024

August 2024: The Portuguese-flagged MV Kathrin ship was refused docking in Namibia, after the ship’s operator informed the port that the ship’s cargo included eight containers of RDX Hexogen explosives bound for Israel. Portugal’s Foreign Minister confirmed that the Portuguese-flagged ship was carrying explosives bound for Israel. The ship’s flag was later changed to German.^[21]Amnesty Australia, Israel/OPT: Slovenia, Montenegro and Portugal must not assist the MV Kathrin’s delivery of explosives to Israel, 02.10.2024^[22]Publico, Half of cargo of Portuguese-flagged ship goes to Israeli armament company, 19.09.2024^[23]Malta Today, Israel-bound arms vessel carries out change of flag and sails away from Malta, 22.10.2024

Cyber

Evidence that offensive cyber tools were marketed to Portugal came in 2021, when Israel’s Defense Ministry included Portugal on the limited list of eligible countries.^[24]CTech,  Israel defense ministry slashes cyber export list, drops Saudi Arabia, UAE, 25.11.2021

Cellebrite: A report by Exame Informatica, revealed that Portuguese security and investigative forces have acquired tools from the Israeli company Cellebrite, used to access and extract data from electronic devices, including locked smartphones, since at least 2011. These security forces include the Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF), Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária – PJ), National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana – GNR), Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública – PSP) and Office of the Prosecutor General (Procuradoria-Geral da República – PGR). Portuguese forces have spent at least €510,000 on Cellebrite products since 2014.^[25]Exame Informatica, PJ SEF and GNR bought controversial Israeli software to access blocked smartphones, 06.05.2021^[26]Guarda Nacional Republicana – Plano de Atividades 2020

Paragon: Portugal has also been mentioned as a potential client for the Israeli spyware firm Paragon.^[27]Haaretz, Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon Cuts Italy’s Access After Journalists Targeted, 06.02.2025

Corsight AI: According to the Who Profits Research Center, Corsight AI has a presence in Portugal.^[28]Who Profits, Corsight AI, 07.05.2024 In 2023 the company’s CEO participated in a tourism innovation center in Portugal to advertise its products.^[29]Linkedin, Corsight AI, 12.01.2023

CyberGym: In 2015, the Israeli company CyberGym was awarded a NIS 45 million deal by the Portuguese electricity company Energias de Portugal (EDP) to design, build, and maintain a cyber-defense training facility.^[30]Globes, CyberGym signs NIS 45m Portuguese deal, 24.03.2015 The facility was opened in 2016. In 2021 CyberGym signed an agreement with the Portuguese Mint and National Printing Office, INCM, to open a new cyber-defense training facility.^[31]CyberGym, PR: CyberGym Expands Activities in Portugal, Signing New Agreement With the Portuguese Mint and National Printing Office (INCM) for A New CyberPod Training Facility, 24.09.2021

Another tech-training facility opened in Lisbon in 2023 in a collaboration with the Israeli company Wawiwa, which advertises itself as one whose teaching methods are derived from IDF training.^[32]Exame Informatica, Método de ensino de programação criado para o exército israelita chega a Lisboa, 01.02.2023^[33]Globes, Meet the man who founded John Bryce and is now selling the concept to Ukraine and Sri Lanka, 10.07.2021

In April 2025, The Embassy of Israel in Portugal hosted a cybersecurity conference in Lisbon focused on the prevention of attacks on critical infrastructure. 12 Israeli cybersecurity companies participated in the event including Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s largest arms manufacturers.^[34]The Portuguese Jewish News, Embassy of Israel in Portugal hosts cybersecurity conference in Lisbon, 29.04.2025^[35]Linkedin, ICS-OT Cybersecurity Conference Lisbon, 26.04.2025