Portuguese Army

The Portuguese Army is the land component of the Armed Forces of Portugal and its largest branch, responsible for the defence of Portugal in cooperation with the other branches. Its origins go back to the military forces of the County of Portugal in the 12th century, which helped Afonso Henriques win independence from the Kingdom of Leon and push south in the Reconquista, and it is regarded as one of the oldest active armies in the world. It is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the Army, who answers to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces on operational matters and to the Ministry of National Defense on all others. Once built mainly on conscripts, it became an entirely professional force after conscription was formally abolished in 2004, and in 2014 it counted 16,111 military personnel. Its wars include the Reconquista, the Peninsular War, World War I and the Colonial War in Africa.