This recognition is part of the "Qualification Mark for Military Systems and Equipment of the Army" initiative, which took place during the 2nd Event on Innovation and Technological Modernization in the Army in 2023.

"The aim of boosting the Army's role within the scientific and academic community and companies linked to the development of the National Defense industry, as a national technological development partner, has been a permanent strategic line of action for a decade," explained the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Army, General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão.

As a result of this openness and the growing innovative dynamics of companies and universities, "initiatives and projects with organizations outside the Army have increased significantly, demonstrating that companies and universities also identify strong advantages in such cooperation," he added.

Referring to the award of the Qualification Mark for Military Systems and Equipment, idD Portugal Defence emphasized that the main objective is to "speed up the process of improving military systems and equipment and provide DTIB (Defence Technological and Industrial Base) entities with an instrument for qualifying and affirming the quality of their products, both nationally and internationally. This process meets the needs of national companies, demonstrating the field use of their solutions, supporting the promotion of innovation and the internationalization capacity of the Portuguese business fabric".

The PRT Army Tested Certificate was awarded to the NBQR protective clothing from the PluriProtech project, resulting from a partnership with the Portuguese Army, Tintex Textiles, Sciencentris and the University of Minho's platforms: Fibrenamics, the Biological Engineering Centre and 2C2T. A multi-layer solution with active and passive protection against chemical, biological and radioactive agents, in accordance with NATO standard AEP-38.

The Combat Proven Certificate was awarded to the AuxDefense project, for the development of protective elbow and knee pads, tactical vest and ballistic helmet, carried out in collaboration with Fibrauto, Latino Group, LMA Leandro Manuel Araújo, and the University of Minho: Fibrenamics. A solution based on user-focused design philosophy, ensuring protection, comfort, and freedom of movement, using structures with auxetic behavior.

The award of the Qualification Mark thus validates the excellence of the work of the Fibrenamics Institute-UMinho, especially in the transfer of knowledge and the development of research and innovation projects. In this regard, Raul Fangueiro, President of Fibrenamics, emphasized that "these seals recognize that ballistic and NBQR protection solutions have been developed, validated by military personnel and ready to be used by them in various risk situations. They also recognize Fibrenamics' ability to create successful consortia, involving research centers, companies, and military institutions, embodying its motto of operation “From Science to People”.

The Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Army, General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão, pointed to the collaboration experience with the Fibrenamics Institute-UMinho as "exemplary" and a "successful case of integrating the Portuguese Army as a technological partner, while gaining experiences and catalyzing resident knowledge, thus contributing to the strengthening and success of national 'intelligence,' essential for the resilience of a country and its Army".

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