List of weapons of the Portuguese Colonial War

The Portuguese Colonial War, also referred to as the Portuguese Overseas War or Overseas War for short, was a military conflict staged during the Decolonisation of Africa that pitted the guerrilla forces of the African nationalist Liberation movements of the Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique overseas provinces, which were part of the Portuguese Empire, against the colonial armed and security forces loyal to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime of Portugal, between 1961 and 1975. Main combatants comprised:

The Portuguese Armed Forces, which were backed by the United States, United Kingdom, West Germany, France, Francoist Spain, Belgium, Rhodesia and South Africa, were the official military of Portugal. Subordinated to the Ministry of National Defence and placed under the command of the Secretariat-General of National Defence, of the Portuguese government at the capital Lisbon, the branches were organized as follows:
*The Portuguese Army
*The Portuguese Air Force, or FAP in the Portuguese acronym but internationally is often referred to by the acronym PRTAF.
*The Portuguese Navy, also known as Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa or as Armada Portuguesa.
The Portuguese Security Forces, subordinated to the Overseas Ministry in Lisbon:
*The Public Security Police, the uniformed Preventive police of the Portuguese overseas territories, which was modelled after the European Portuguese PSP, the national civil police force of Portugal.
*The irregular Auxiliary Forces.
The African nationalist Liberation movements:
*The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde party, and its military wing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People, which received support from the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Socialist Republic of Romania, SFR Yugoslavia, the People's Republic of Bulgaria, Sweden, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, Cuba, Libya, Ghana, Senegal, and Guinea-Conacry.
*The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola party, and its military wing the People's Army for the Liberation of Angola, which received support from the Soviet Union, East Germany, Cuba, Morocco, Algeria, Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea-Conacry, Tanzania, and Zambia.
*The National Front for the Liberation of Angola party, and its military wing the National Army for the Liberation of Angola, which received support from the United States, the People's Republic of China, West Germany, Israel, France, the Socialist Republic of Romania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Zaire, and Liberia.
*The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola party, and its military wing the Armed Forces of the Liberation of Angola, which received support from the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the People's Republic of China, Egypt, and Zambia.
*The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda party, which received support from the United States, France, Zaire, and South Africa.
*The Liberation Front of Mozambique party, and its military wing the Popular Forces for the Liberation of Mozambique, which received support from the Soviet Union, East Germany, the People's Republic of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, SFR Yugoslavia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Cuba, the People's Republic of China, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.

An eclectic variety of weapons was used by all sides in the Portuguese Colonial War. The Portuguese Military and Security Forces serving in the African territories were equipped with Western-made weapon systems from both World War I and World War II, mainly Portuguese, Austro-Hungarian, Danish, German, Italian, French, Canadian and British in origin, but also included more modern Portuguese, Spanish, French, British, Belgian, Dutch, West German, American and South African military hardware. During the early phase of the war, the African Liberation Movements likewise were largely equipped with WWII-vintage Western arms and munitions, though as the war went on, Soviet, Eastern Bloc and Chinese weaponry began to play a major role, particularly after 1970.

Portuguese Military and Security Forces equipment

Revolvers

Received from the Portuguese Army or privately purchased, used by colonial public servants and officials as personal side-arms for self-defence.

Revólver m/878 and m/886 Abadie
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard

Pistols

Pistola 9 mm m/943 Luger: used early in the War in Angola.
Pistola 9 mm m/961 Walther

Submachine guns

Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/942 Steyer: limited use early in the War.
Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/943 Sten: limited use early in the War.
Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/948 FBP: used early in the War.
Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/961 Vigneron
Franchi LF-57: used mainly in Angola and Mozambique.
Star Model Z-45: limited use in the War in Angola.
Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/961 Sterling: used by settler militias early in the War in Angola.
Pistola-metralhadora 9 mm m/961 UZI: used by the PSP and militia personnel.
Walther MPL: used by the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Marine Corps.

Bolt-action rifles

Espingarda de Infantaria 8 mm m/1886/89 Kropatschek Colonial Infantry Rifle: limited use early in the War by militia personnel.
Mauser–Vergueiro: limited use early in the War by militia personnel.
Espingarda 7,92 mm m/937 Mauser infantry rifle: standard-issue rifle before the full introduction of the FN FAL and G3 assault rifles; also used by the PSP and militia personnel.
Espingarda 7,7 mm m/1917, m/1917-A, m/931, m/942, and m/946 Lee–Enfield (SMLE Mk III): used by settler militias early in the War in Angola.
Pattern 1914 Enfield: used by settler militias early in the War in Angola.
M1917 Enfield : limited use early in the War.

Semi-automatic rifles

SKS: Captured from PAIGC guerrillas and re-issued to colonial troops in Guinea-Bissau.

Battle rifles

Espingarda de assalto 7,62 mm m/961 AR-10
Espingarda de assalto 7,62 mm m/962 FN FAL: variants employed comprised the Belgium-built standard FAL, the West German G1 and the South African Vektor R1, all used mainly in Guinea-Bissau and Angola.
Espingarda de assalto 7,62 mm m/961 and m/963 G3: Heckler & Koch G3A3 and G3A4 variants.
AK-47 and AKS: Captured.
AKM and AKMS: Captured.

Sniper rifles

Espingarda de assalto 7,62 mm m/961 AR-10: fitted with A.I.-modified upper receivers to mount 3× or 3.6× telescopic sights, employed as a designated marksman rifle.

Grenade systems

Land mine systems

M14 anti-personnel mine
MAPS anti-personnel mine
M/966 bounding anti-personnel mine
M/969 anti-personnel mine

Bombs and explosives

Napalm bomb : employed by the Portuguese Air Force.
Trotile demolition charge
Improvised explosive devices

Rocket systems

SNEB 68mm rocket projectile: employed by the Portuguese Air Force.
Modified SNEB 37mm HE rocket: employed by the Portuguese Air Force and the Portuguese Army.

Anti-tank rockets and Grenade launchers

Dispositivo de lançamento de granadas de mão – modelo de 1965 (Dilagrama m/65) detachable grenade launcher
Lança-granadas-foguete de 60 mm m/955
Lança-granadas-foguete M-20 8,9 mm m/952
Instalaza Modelo-53 88.9 mm
Lança-granadas-foguete de 37 mm "roquetim": Portuguese-produced, man-ported light rocket launcher designed for firing modified SNEB rocket projectiles; not very reliable.
RPG-2 rocket-propelled grenade launcher: Captured.
RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher: Captured.

Recoilless rifles

Mortars

FBP m/68 60mm "morteirete": Portuguese-designed ultra-light mortar.
Morteiro ligeiro de 60 mm m/952
ECIA L65/60 60mm light mortar
Morteiro US M2 de 60 mm m/952
Morteiro de 81 mm m/937
Morteiro Pesado M30 106.6mm M/951

Howitzers

Obus de Montanha 7,5 cm/18 m/940 Mountain gun: employed early in the War in Angola.
Obus 8,8 cm m/946 Field gun/Howitzer
Obus médio 11,4 cm m/946 Medium field gun
Obus médio 14 cm m/943 Medium gun
Obus K 10,5 cm/28 m/941 Light howitzer
Obus R 10,5 cm/28 m/943 Light howitzer
Obus K 15 cm/30 m/941 Heavy field howitzer

Anti-aircraft guns and Autocannons

Metralhadora Quádrupla AA 12,7 mm m/953: fitted on Berliet-Tramagal "mine-crusher" trucks, employed in the direct fire support role.
Matra MG 151/20 20mm autocannon: fitted to Alouette III helicopter gunships.
Metralhadora Pesada AA 20mm m/943 (2 cm Flak 30/38) Anti-aircraft gun
Peça AA 4 cm m/942 and m/42-60 Anti-aircraft gun
Peça AA 9,4 cm m/940 Anti-aircraft gun: limited use late in the War in Guinea-Bissau.

Armoured vehicles

Carro de Combate Stuart M5A1 15 ton. 3,7 cm m/1956 light tank: limited use in Angola.
Blindado Recon. 3 ton. Daimler Mk. IIIA D/ Mk. IIIB D 4×4 m/1963 armoured car: Daimler Dingo Scout Car modified with the addition of a turret-like structure, employed in the road convoy escort role.
Blindado Recon. 7–8 ton. Humber Mk. IV D 4×4 3,7 cm m/1943 armoured car: used early in the War.
Blindado Recon. 7–8 ton. GM Fox Mk. I D 4×4 m/1957 armoured car: used early in the War.
Blindado Recon. Panhard AML-HE60-7 4,8 ton. 6 cm 4×4 m/1965 armoured car: employed in both Angola and Mozambique.
Blindado Recon. 4,8 ton. Eland Mk. 4 6 cm D 4×4 m/1972 armoured car: South African Eland-60 version of the Panhard AML-HE60-7.
Blindado Recon. Panhard EBR75 15 ton. 8×8 7,5 cm m/1959 armoured car
Blindado Transp. Pessoal Panhard ETT 13 ton. 8×8 m/1959 armoured personnel carrier: limited use in Mozambique.
Panhard M3 VTT armoured personnel carrier: limited use very late in the War in Angola.
Blindado Transp. Pessoal 5 ton. White M3A1 D 4×4 m/1946 Scout car: employed mainly in Guinea-Bissau.
GM 4×4 T. T. m/947 "Granadeiro" armoured truck: employed mainly in Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique.
Blindado Transp. Pessoal 7 ton. Bravia Chaimite V200 D 4×4 m/1967 Armoured personnel carrier: limited use very late in the War in Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique.

Escort, transport and recovery vehicles

Transporte Geral ¼ ton. "Willis" MB 4×4 m/1944
Transporte Geral Ford GPW ¼ ton. 4×4 m/1944
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Willys CJ2 D 4×4 m/1948
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Willys CJ3A D 4×4 m/1949
Transporte Geral Willys-Overland ¾ ton. 4×4 m/1954
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Willys CJ3B D 4×4 m/1955
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. M606 (Kaiser Jeep CJ3B) 4×4 m/1955
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. M38A1 (Willys MD) D 4×4 m/1955
Transporte Geral Willys CJ5 ¼ ton. 4×4 m/1957
Transporte Geral Willys-Overland ¾ ton. 4×4 m/1962
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Willys CJ6 D 4×4 m/1969
Transporte Geral Mitsubichi J54A ¼ ton. 4×4 m/1969
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series I m/1949
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series I m/1954
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series I Mk.2 m/1957
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series II m/1958
Transporte Geral ¾ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series II m/1958
Transporte Geral ¾ ton. Land-Rover D 4×4 Series II TP10 m/1959
Transporte Geral ¼ ton. Austin D 4×4 G4M10 "Gipsy" Series IV m/1965
Transporte Geral ¾ ton. Austin D 4×4 G4M15 "Gypsy" m/1965
Transporte Geral ¾ ton. Dodge T214 – WC51 D 4×4 m/1948-50 cx. aberta s/guincho Light truck
Transporte Geral ¾ ton. Dodge T214 – WC52 D 4×4 m/1948 cx. aberta c/guincho Light truck
Transporte Geral Nissan 4W73 ¾ ton. 4×4 m/1962
Viatura de Transporte A 3 ton. Ford Canada F60S 4×4 m/1953
Transporte Geral Unimog 401/411.115 m/1955
Transporte Geral 1 ton. Unimog D 4×4 U34/411 m/1955
Transporte Geral 1 ½ ton. Unimog D 4×4 S404 m/1966
Transporte Geral 1 ½ ton. Unimog D 4×4 S404.114 m/1969
Transporte Geral 2 ½ ton. GMC CCKW-353 D 6×6 m/1952
Transporte Geral 4 ton. Berliet TBC 8 KT D 4×4 m/1964
Transporte Geral 4 ton. Berliet/Tramagal GBC 8 KT D 4×4 m/1964
Transporte Geral 4 ton. Berliet/Tramagal GBC 8 KT D 6×6 m/1966
Transporte Geral 2,5 ton. Berliet/Tramagal GBA MT D 6×6 m/1968
Ambulância ¾ ton. Dodge T214 – WC54 D 4×4 m/1944 Ambulance
Ambulância ¾ ton. Dodge Power Wagon D 4×4 m/1954 Ambulance
Auto Basculante 4,5 ton, Berliet/Tramagal GBC-8-BT BENNE 4×4 m/1965 Dump truck

Helicopters

Aérospatiale SE-3130 Alouette II light helicopter
Aérospatiale SE-3160 Alouette III light helicopter: employed in the utility and gunship roles.
Aérospatiale SA 330C Puma medium transport/utility helicopter: employed very late in the War in Angola.

Aircraft

Republic F-84G Thunderjet Fighter-bomber: employed in ground-attack and close air support operations.
North American F-86G/F-86F Sabre Fighter aircraft: employed in ground attack and close air support operations.
Fiat G.91 R/4 Fighter-bomber: employed in reconnaissance, ground attack and close air support operations.
Lockheed PV-2C Harpoon Patrol bomber: employed mainly as a light bomber and ground attack aircraft, with occasional reconnaissance, transport and maritime patrol sorties in Angola and Mozambique.
Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft: employed in Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique.
Douglas B-26B/B-26C Invader light bomber: employed in ground attack and close air support operations.
North American T-6G Texan trainer aircraft/Fighter-bomber: employed in ground attack and close air support operations.
Dornier Do 27K1/K2 STOL light utility aircraft: employed in reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, ground attack and close air support operations.
Cessna 185A Skywagon light utility aircraft
Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard utility monoplane: employed in reconnaissance operations.
Auster AOP.9 military air observation aircraft: employed in reconnaissance operations.
Douglas C-47A Dakota military transport aircraft
Nord Noratlas N-2502F/N-2501D military transport aircraft
Douglas C-54A, C-54D and HC-54D Skymaster military transport aircraft
Douglas DC-6 Airliner/transport aircraft
Boeing 707-3 F5 Airliner

Naval and River craft

Cacine-class patrol boat
João Coutinho-class corvette
Admiral Pereira da Silva-class frigate
João Belo-class frigate
Douro-class destroyer
Minesweeper
Large surveillance launch
Landing craft
Landing Craft Utility
Large landing craft
Landing craft tank
Troop transport ship
Berrio-class fleet tanker
Zodiac rubber inflatable boat: used by the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Marine Corps.

African Liberation Movements equipment