Editing Madeira (section)

=== Foreign relations and defence ===

Foreign affairs and defence are the responsibility of the national government. The Madeira Military Zone is the [[Portuguese Army]]'s command for ground forces stationed in the islands, centering on the 3rd Garrison Regiment based at Funchal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.exercito.pt/pt/quem-somos/organizacao/ceme/cft/zmm |title=Quartel-General da Zona Militar da Madeira |website=Portuguese Army |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724122607/https://www.exercito.pt/pt/quem-somos/organizacao/ceme/cft/zmm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.exercito.pt/pt/quem-somos/organizacao/ceme/cft/zmm/rg3 |title=Regimento de Guarnição N.º 3 |website=Portuguese Army |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724213913/https://www.exercito.pt/pt/quem-somos/organizacao/ceme/cft/zmm/rg3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Portuguese Navy|Navy]] tasks the patrol vessels [[Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel|''Tejo'' and ''Mondego'']] specifically to Madeira, as well as other vessels as required, in order to patrol [[Exclusive economic zone of Portugal|Portugal's large economic zone]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhas/Paginas/NRP-TEJO.aspx |title=NRP TEJO |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126223642/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhas/Paginas/NRP-TEJO.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhas/Paginas/NRP-MONDEGO.aspx |title=NRP MONDEGO |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920120135/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhas/Paginas/NRP-MONDEGO.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/default.aspx |title=Lanchas |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724212607/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhasoceanicos/Paginas/nrp-figueira-foz.aspx |title=NRP Figueira da Foz |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531033816/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhasoceanicos/Paginas/nrp-figueira-foz.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> To support search and rescue, the [[Portuguese Air Force]] maintains [[Porto Santo Airport#Military air base|a staging base]] on [[Porto Santo Island]] incorporating detachments of [[EADS CASA C-295|C-295]] aircraft and [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin]] helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emfa.pt/unidade-60-aerodromo-de-manobra-n-3 |title=AERÓDROMO DE MANOBRA N.º 3 |website=Portuguese Air Force |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723155927/https://www.emfa.pt/unidade-60-aerodromo-de-manobra-n-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>