[Portugal] Exercise Tridente Ágil

[Bruno]

Exercise Tridente Ágil

Theme: Amphibious & Helicopter Air Assault Operations
Classification: Secret and Classified
Objective: Train Portuguese forces in rapid amphibious deployment and vertical envelopment using Mistral-class LHDs and helicopters. The focus is on coordination between the Navy, Air Force, and Army in joint operations.
Disclaimer: This is a no live-fire exercise. All weapons have been fitted with blank ammunition or laser-sim systems, and all engagements are carefully coordinated to ensure maximum realism without risk to personnel. No one is “killing” each other; the intent is to replicate combat conditions as closely as possible while prioritizing safety and training value.

Navy = 608 personnel

• 2× Mistral-class Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD) NRP Goa & NRP Macau
  • Primary Role: Command platform, amphibious operations, helicopter assault
  • Embarked Air Wing (shared across both ships):
    • 12× SA 330B Puma (Transport)
    • 6× UH-60L Black Hawk (Utility/Assault Transport)
    • 2× Eurocopter Tiger HAD (Attack Helicopter)
    • 6× Eurocopter AS565 Panther (Naval Utility, ASW/ASuW, light transport)
  • Embarked Ground Forces: 500 Fusiliers + 12 Pandur II 8×8 IFVs + 50 HMMWV & URO VAMTAC light vehicles
  • Defensive Armament: Simulated 30mm autocannons, Mistral SAM systems
• 2× Vasco da Gama-class Frigates (FFG) NRP Infante Dom Henrique & NRP Lopo Gonçalves
  • Primary Role: Escort, area air defense, surface/ASW protection
  • Armament:
    • Mk41 VLS (simulated ESSM training load)
    • 1× OTO Melara 76mm gun (blank fire)
    • Torpedo launchers (inert training rounds)
  • Aviation: Each operates 1× Panther helicopter (shared rotation)
• 1× Berrio-class Replenishment Vessel (AOR) NRP Siroco
  • Primary Role: Logistics support, refueling, medical backup
  • Armament: Minimal defensive weapons

Air Force = 62 personnel

• Fixed Wing:
  • 2× EADS CASA C-295M
  • 2× Dassault Rafale C F3
• Rotary Wing (embarked on Mistral LHDs):
  • 12× SA 330B Puma
  • 6× UH-60L Black Hawk
  • 2× Eurocopter Tiger HAD

Army= 500 Personnel

• 500 troops – Fusilier Marines (amphibious infantry, equipped with G3 rifles, MG3 LMGs, Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles, and Milan ATGMs for training)
• 12× Pandur II 8×8 IFV
• 8× M119 105mm Howitzers
• 50× HMMWV & URO VAMTAC

The late afternoon sun hung low over Lisbon Naval Base, painting the waters in shades of orange and gold as the Portuguese task force readied itself for departure. On the dockside, sailors bustled with last-minute checks, Fusiliers marched aboard in disciplined groups, and helicopters sat chained on the Mistral’s deck, rotors glinting under the light.

Captain Rodrigues of the Fusiliers adjusted his beret as he watched the final company board.
“Five hundred men and women, all accounted for,” his adjutant reported.
Rodrigues gave a short nod. “Good. Remind them, this is training. No live rounds, no reckless heroics. Blanks only, laser sensors. The point is realism, not body bags.”

Nearby, a pair of young Fusiliers exchanged nervous chatter as they slung their rifles.
“You think it’ll be like the stories? Low skimming flight, straight into enemy fire?” one asked.
The other chuckled. “More like low skimming flight, straight into sand in my boots. Just stick to your squad and don’t puke in the Puma, it just got cleaned.”

On the flight deck, two Air Force pilots walked the perimeter of their SA 330B Puma, helmets tucked under their arms.
“Beach insertion, simulated resistance, extraction, simple in theory,” one muttered.
“Simple until the Navy forgets to clear our corridor,” the other replied dryly.
A nearby crewmember of the vessel overheard and smirked. “Don’t worry, gentlemen, the Navy always delivers.”
​

As final checks were being carried out. In the main briefing room of the base, officers and NCOs of the Portuguese Armed Forces gathered around a large operations table. On it, a detailed map of the coastline was laid out, with red and blue markers showing simulated objectives. At the head of the table stood Captain João Ferreira, commander of the NRP Goa. He cleared his throat.

“Gentlemen, let me make this very clear before we begin: this is a training exercise. No live ammunition will be used. Blank rounds, training explosives, and simulation systems only. No one is killing anyone. Every movement is controlled, every contact coordinated, and every measure taken to make this as real as possible without unnecessary risk. If there’s any doubt, safety comes first.” The officers nodded in unison. The briefing continued.

Commander Luís Matos, leading the Fusiliers’ 1st Company, raised his hand.
“Sir, regarding insertion, will the Tigers escort the troop lifts on the first wave, or remain in overwatch?”

Captain Ferreira tapped the map.
“The Tigers will take off from NRP Goa and perform close escort for the Pumas and Black Hawks on the initial wave. They’ll suppress simulated shore defenses, and then remain in overwatch for the follow-on landings. Frigates will provide simulated naval gunfire support against marked coastal targets.”

A chuckle rose from the back of the room. Lieutenant Ramos, pilot of a Puma, muttered to his co-pilot:
“Suppressing shore defenses with rockets that don’t explode. Should be fun.” His co-pilot smirked. “Hey, at least we don’t have to dodge real SAMs. I’ll take paintball markers over shrapnel any day.”

The Fusiliers began to disperse, checking weapons and equipment. Magazines were loaded with blanks; the Carl Gustafs fitted with training rounds that gave a thunderous blast but no warhead. Marines tested their radios, ensuring clean comms with the naval and air units.

As the sun dipped lower, the ships’ engines began to hum, the sound of turbines and diesels carrying across the water. The Portuguese Task Force was nearly ready to put to sea, its steel giants bristling with firepower, ready for the most ambitious amphibious training Portugal had attempted in years. Not since the Ultramar War did Portugal engage in this type of warfare, but times have changed, and so has Portugal, to fit a world of modern nations.