The President is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, supported by a Defence Council. The Prime Minister is responsible for defence policy with the Defense Minister. The three branches are independent but coordinated by a Defense General Staff, whith the Chief of General Staff acting as operational commander of all the three armed forces. The total active manpower is around 47,000 soldiers, 24,000 soldiers for the National Guard, and 13,000 Public Security police.
The Land forces personnel is around 24,000 soldiers, with the structure:
- One mechanised brigade with 1 tank battalion, 1st and 2nd mechanised infantry battalions, field artillery battalion, 1 recce company, 1 air defense company, 1 combat engineer company, and 1 signal company.
- One Rapid Reaction Brigade with the 1st and 2nd parachute battalions, 1 commando battalion, Special Forces unit, 1 recce company, 1 AAA regiment, 1 anti-tank company, 1 signal company, 1 support & service battalion.
- Intervention brigade with the 1st and 2nd infantry battalions, "Metralhadoras" battalion, field artillery battalion, 1 recce company, 1 AAA company, 1 engineer company, 1 signal company, and 1 support & service company.
- Azores military zone: 2 garrison battalions, 1 heavy mortar company, 1 AAA company, and 1 support & service company
- Madeira military zone: 1 garrison battalion, 1 AAA company, 1 support & service company.