The numbers of the case.
Twelve numbers that support the argumentation against this location. Each one refers to its direct documentary source, from Council of Ministers resolutions to official communications, from the IFAP cadastre to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Quantitative summary
Twelve numbers that should be known.
Quick reference table for interview, public debate and technical instruction. Each block identifies the number, its factual description and the documentary or normative source that supports it. The joint reading of these numbers is the argument that best dismantles the presentation of the project as a "technically grounded decision".
7,500 ha
Projected firing range area, spanning several municipalities of the Alto Alentejo (Alter do Chão, Monforte, Crato and Fronteira).
Source: portugal.gov.pt statement, 12 March 2026.
~99 %
The area of the projected perimeter is private agricultural property. The State has public land in the region that it did not use.
Source: crossing of IFAP 2025 and georeferenced cadastre.
329-375
Agricultural plots with active PAC application in 2025 within the perimeter. 58 to 81 different farmers directly affected.
Source: crossing of IFAP 2025 × probable CT polygon.
7,539 ha
Area of the Alcochete firing range, being demilitarised. The new airport occupies between 1,920 and 3,400 hectares, less than half of the site. Still, the firing range is being relocated to private agricultural land in Alter do Chão.
Source: ANA Aeroportos; demilitarisation resolution (up to 4.5 M€), 2026.
11.8 km · 85 bar
The Campo Maior–Leiria gas pipeline crosses the projected perimeter. Operating pressure: 85 bar. Main point of entry for natural gas in Portugal.
Source: REN, official map of the National Gas Transport Network, 2025.
85-215 M€
Estimate for pipeline diversion. Licensing period: 5 to 8 years. No record of public contact with REN under the terms of Dispatch 806-C/2022.
Source: Dispatch 806-C/2022, DGEG, articles 7th, 19th and 57th.
298-608 M€
Independent estimate of the total cost. The Minister refused to present any value. ANA Airports explicitly excluded these costs from the new airport report.
Source: independent construction from REN, IFAP, conservatories, comparable NATO costs.
5-20 M€/year
Cost of using Bardenas Reales (Spain), NATO alternative open to allies since 1982 with 80% available capacity.
Source: NATO Smart Defence Doctrine, in force since 2012.
28 days
Between the publication of Decree-Law 35/2026 (which protects the SAC Cabeção) and the announcement of the firing range exactly in that area.
Source: Decree-Law 35/2026, of 11 February; MDN statement, 11 March 2026.
14 months
Between January 2025 (start of talks between MDN, Air Force and Municipality) and the public announcement on 11 March 2026. No local democratic structure was informed.
Source: local PS statement of Alter do Chão, 19 March 2026.
200 / 3,180
200 predicted military personnel and their families. Municipality with 3,180 resident inhabitants (2021 Census). Immediate military demographic increase of over 6%.
Source: portugal.gov.pt statement, 12 March 2026; INE 2021 Census.
−90 %
National decline of the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) over twenty years, with only about 1,736 males left in the country. A Critically Endangered species in Portugal.
Source: 4th National Little Bustard Census, BIOPOLIS/CIBIO, June 2026.
In all metrics, the balance tips in favour of agriculture, the environment, and the public purse. The effective military contribution to the local economy stands between 1.6 and 3 million euros per year. The direct annualised agricultural and rural loss stands between 18 and 30 million euros. The firing range destroys five to ten times more local economic value than the military contribution generates.
The public presentation of the project as an "opportunity" for Alter do Chão does not withstand a joint reading of the numbers, and the government's refusal to present official costs aggravates the problem instead of solving it.