SOUTHERN WARRIORS

摘要

Portugal's armed forces were heavily engaged in wars against revolutionary elements in its African territories of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea between 1961 and 1974. The conflicts, collectively known as the Guerra do Ultramar (Overseas War), ended after a change of regime in Lisbon, and the three African countries gained independence. To fight the wars the Forca Aerea Portuguesa (Portuguese Air Force - FAP) was equipped with aircraft which, at the outset of the conflicts, were adequate for the task - but after 14 years of operations they were overworked and obsolete. Meanwhile, an international arms embargo imposed on Portugal and sustained throughout the Guerra do Ultramar had made it impossible to replace them. For tactical counter-insurgency attack and reconnaissance operations the FAP had relied on four main types: the North American F-86 Sabre, Republic F-84G Thunderjet, North American T-6 Texan and Douglas B-26 Invader. Towards the end of the wars a deal forged with France for the purchase of Dassault Mirage Ⅲ fighters fell through when the missions ended in 1974.