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Pedro Proença Mendes
Military Representatives
Portugal
01 August 2025 - Present
Portugal
01 August 2025 - Present
Vice-admiral Luís Pedro Pinto Proença Mendes was born in Luanda (Angola) and is since August 2025 the Portuguese MILREP to NATO and EU.
Pedro Mendes joined the Portuguese Navy in 1984, as a Naval Academy Cadet, graduating in 1989, and was promoted to his present rank in October 2024.
He took the Navigation specialization course in 1990/1991 as well as promotion courses and necessary courses to perform the different duties that he has been carrying out in his career.
After his graduation, he became crew officer of the Sail Training Ship “Sagres” where, in 1991 he became the navigation officer. In this ship, he made several training voyages, like one to North Africa and North Europe (5 months) and another one to the east and west coasts of North and Central America (8 months). In 1993 he became the navigation officer of the frigate N.R.P. “Álvares Cabral”, having participated in the Operational Sea Training of the British Navy, in several national and international naval exercises and in the Operation Sharp Guard on the coast of former-Yugoslavia. In 1996 he was assigned to teach navigation at the Naval Academy and in 1999 he assumed a leading post at the studies and planning department of Direcção de Faróis (the Portuguese Lighthouse Authority). Subsequently he joined the Hydrographic Office in 2004 to lead its Navigation Division.
By the time he incorporated N.R.P. “Álvares Cabral” crew, he also performed the functions of Staff Navigation Officer (1995) supporting NATO force commander in the operation Sharp Guard. Also, in addiction, he was the executive officer of the Naval Academy sail training ship N.R.P. “Vega” (1996-1998) and the deputy director of the Calouste Gulbenkian planetarium (1998-2003). From 1999 to 2007 he participated actively in the International Association of Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) works, where he performed the role of vice-chairman of the Aids to Navigation Management Committee.
He was the Commanding Officer of N.R.P. “Sagres”, between November 2007 and May 2011 where he accomplished more than 650 days of mission, running 65 000 miles in 10 000 hours at sea. During his command he distinguishes one voyage to the South Atlantic and Indian oceans (6 months) and one turn-around-the-world (11 months) passing Cape Horn.
He assumed the charge of Second in Command of the Flotilla between September 2011 and June 2015, when he took Command of Lisbon Naval Base until November 2018.
After the Admirals Course, in 2019, he was nominated Head of Personnel Affairs Division at the Portuguese Navy Staff and later Head of the new Innovation Division.
Being promoted to Commodore in December 2021, he assumed the Direction of the Military Intelligence and Security Centre, at the Portuguese Chief-of-Defence Staff Headquarters.
He was promoted to Rear-Admiral in December 2022 and assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations of the Portuguese Navy and later the Chief of Cabinet of Admiral Gouveia e Melo, the Chief of the Portuguese Naval Staff and National Maritime Authority.
In October 2024 he was nominated the Portuguese Navy Personnel Superintendent.
During his career he was distinguished with several commendations and was awarded the following medals: Distinguished Services Military Gold and Silver Medals, Military Merit Military Medal, Joint Cross, Naval Cross and Exemplary Conduct Military Gold Medal. In 2005, he was awarded by the President of Portuguese Republic with the Military Order of Avis degree of Oficial, in 2010 the degree of Comendador and in 2024 the degree of Grande Oficial. He is also an awardee of the gold distinctive for time at sea.
VADM Pedro Proença Mendes is married to Vanda and they are parents of three, Francisco (31), João Afonso (26) and Duarte (21), and they live in Oeiras.