Portuguese NavyGovernment

The Portuguese Navy is the maritime defense branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces, tasked with defending national sovereignty and territorial waters, conducting maritime surveillance, and executing search and rescue missions. Formally established in 1317 when King Denis appointed Manuel Pessanha as the first Admiral of Portugal, it is considered the oldest continuously serving navy in the world. Historically, the navy played a pivotal role during the 15th- and 16th-century Age of Discovery by pioneering global oceanic trade and exploration routes.