Portugal will have two NATO innovation centers
Approved Portugal sees two applications for NATO innovation centers. The two innovation centers are part of the NATO Innovation Accelerator, “Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic” (DIANA). A project that aims to accelerate the development of emerging and disruptive technological solutions within NATO, dual-use technologies with application in the area of security and defense.
Thus, Portugal will receive a “Accelerator networking site” to be installed in Arsenal do Alfeite, SA, in Almada and a “test center”, the installation at the Navy Operational Experimentation Center in Tróia. These infrastructures should start operations in 2023.
The national installation of structures represents a relevant opportunity for the defense economy and an approach to NATO’s network of possibility and innovation.
NATO is already present in Portugal through the “Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Center”, in Lisbon, of the Academy of Communications and Information and the command of “NATO Naval Strike and Support Forces” (STRIKFORNATO), in Oeiras.
Portugal is part of the group of 12 founding members of the Atlantic Alliance, along with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Holland, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the United Kingdom and the USA. NATO, created by the Washington Treaty, has already fulfilled 73, on April 4, 2022, it is currently made up of 30 allies.