Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade
| Portuguese Army Rapid Reaction Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1993 – Present day |
| Country | Portugal |
| Branch | Army |
| Type |
Airborne Light Infantry Special Forces |
| Size | Eight Battalions |
| Part of | Portuguese Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Parachute Troops School, Tancos |
| Motto(s) | "Se fizeram por armas tão svbidos" |
| Engagements |
Bosnia Kosovo East-Timor Afghanistan |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
MG Raul Luís de Morais Lima Ferreira da Cunha [1][2] |
![[1]](http://www.operacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1-tomada-posse.jpg){kind=link}
The Brigada de Reacção Rápida (Rapid Reaction Brigade) is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente (Independent Airborne Brigade) until 2006. Its different units are highly trained Paratroopers, Commandos and Special Operations Troops capable of responding to threats in any part of continental Portugal or any other Portuguese overseas territory with quick deployment by air, sea or land (with the support of the Air Force and/or the Navy when required). This brigade is the most requested by the Portuguese Government to fulfill international assignments due to its experience and multi-role capability.
Economic crisis forced the Portuguese Government to make budget cuts in the Armed Forces, and in June 2012 it was announced that the Portuguese Army was no longer going to receive the 10 NH-90 transport helicopters that would incorporate the Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército (Army Light Aviation Unit). Thus, the Rapid Reaction Brigade still maintains its dependency for aerial transportation purposes from the Air Force.
In 1993, the Corpo de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops Corps), which was part of the Portuguese Air Force was disbanded and the Portuguese airborne forces were transferred to the Army. A new brigade was then created, the Independent Airborne Brigade (BAI) which included all airborne-capable forces in it. The Army also transferred to this brigade some heavier weapons like howitzers, thus giving the unit increased firepower, as well as creating an operational command named Comando de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops Command). The Comandos Regiment was disbanded and the Comandos that had the Parachute Course were transferred to the new brigade. For more than 10 years the BAI kept serving the country in international missions, sending Paratroopers to several locations in Europe and East-Timor. In 2002 the Comandos were reactivated as an independent unit and were separated from the Paratroopers.
...
Wikipedia