Medalha da Defesa Nacional

The National Defence Medal is a Portuguese military medal established on 27 December 2002 in four classes. It is intended to reward military personnel and civilians, nationals or foreigners, who, in their technical and professional fields, demonstrate high competence, outstanding performance and notable personal qualities, contributing significantly to the efficiency, prestige and fulfilment of the mission of the Ministry of National Defence.

It was the last of the five service-specific medals to be established, to reward services in support of the Ministry of National Defence. It followed the three service-specific medals, established in 1985, and the service-specific medal of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Saint George Cross, established two years earlier.