Arpão returns to its home base in Alfeite
Portuguese Trident class attack submarine NRP Arpão has returned to Portugal following a successful deployment under NATO’s Operation Brilliant Shield.
Arpão is the first Portuguese submarine to navigate below Arctic ice, in a mission aimed at deterrence and defence of the Euro-Atlantic area. This was a significant achievement for the Portuguese Navy, made possible with the support from the Allied navies of Canada, Denmark, and the United States.
Arpão is equipped with advanced sonar and communications systems, in order to carry out vigilance, patrol and reconnaissance missions. During this mission, Arpão was tasked with monitoring non-NATO military platforms, both surface and submarines, known to operate in this region.
Arpão returned to her home base in Alfeite, Lisbon, after a 70-day deployment. In attendance were the Portuguese Defence Minister Dr Nuno Melo, the Chief of the Portuguese Navy Admiral Gouveia e Melo and the Commander of NATO Submarines, Rear Admiral Thomas Wall.
