Portugal has initiated an international tender worth approximately $21.4 million to acquire 649 new vehicles for its national police forces, signaling a significant push to modernize public security infrastructure.
This substantial procurement aims to bolster the fleets of the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP), the country’s primary law enforcement agencies.
The tender was formally announced on October 20 in the official gazette, with all vehicles expected to be delivered by the end of next year.
The government’s action aligns with a wider investment strategy for its security forces. This plan includes upgrades to police stations and the provision of thousands of equipment items.
The tender is divided into 45 separate lots, covering a diverse range of vehicles to meet various operational needs.
These acquisitions include motorcycles of different engine sizes, small vans, standard patrol cars, and buses.
Notably, one specific lot is dedicated to the acquisition of 10 electric cars for the GNR, valued at roughly $400,000.
Prospective suppliers can bid on any or all available lots. The contracts will be awarded based on 80% price and 20% quality criteria.
The acquisition was initially announced by then-Minister of Internal Administration Margarida Blasco. The process experienced delays following a change in government leadership.
The formal launch of the tender now allows interested parties to obtain the detailed specifications and submit their bids.
The proposed State Budget for 2026, presented by the Executive on October 9, explicitly refers to these extensive investments in security forces.
“Continuing ongoing investments, as well as the activity plan approved for 2025 and 2026, the Government expects to have more than 30 interventions in police stations concluded, deliver more than 600 vehicles, and allocate more than 20,000 items, including weaponry, personal protective equipment, and specialized equipment,” the budget proposal states.
The vehicles included in this newly launched tender are those specifically referenced in the government’s 2026 budget proposal.