NTGroup and Portuguese Ministry deny intermediary role in frigate deal

The Portuguese Ministry of Defense and the company NTGroup have issued clarifications regarding the acquisition of three FREMM EVO frigates from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The deal, valued at approximately 3.9 billion euros, has faced scrutiny following allegations regarding potential commissions and the role of intermediaries.

The Ministry of Defense stated that the intergovernmental negotiations were conducted directly between the Portuguese and Italian states through their respective armament directorates, without political intervention or the involvement of intermediaries.

NTGroup clarified that while it has spent years promoting Fincantieri’s naval solutions in Portugal since 2020, it was not part of the formal intergovernmental negotiation team and did not participate in the final meetings between the two states. The company denied claims that it was excluded by the government or that it has requested any payment from the Portuguese state, asserting that any financial matters are strictly commercial between NTGroup and Fincantieri.