14.03.2025, 08:52
https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/13/po...-35-plans/
Zitat:In an interview with Portuguese media outlet Público published on Mar. 13, 2025, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo dismissed the possibility of ordering the fifth-generation fighter, aligning with other European nations reconsidering their defense procurement strategies.
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In April 2024, Air Force Chief of Staff General João Cartaxo Alves confirmed the service was in a “transition” phase toward the stealth fighter, mirroring decisions made by several NATO partners. The Chief of the Portuguese Air Force also added that the transition to a new fighter aircraft would span approximately two decades, with an estimated expenditure of 5.5 billion Euro allocated for this program.
The statements of Cartaxo Alves had made the headlines in 2023 too: at a military airlift and refueling conference in Lisbon, the Portuguese Air Force Chief of Staff publicly acknowledged that Lockheed Martin’s 5th-generation fighter was a suitable replacement for the country’s aging F-16 fleet. However, the enthusiasm was quickly tempered by the government. The Portuguese Ministry of Defense wasted no time in clarifying that no formal procurement process was in place. “This is a vision for the future, so currently, there is no process for purchasing aircraft to replace the F-16,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Helena Carreiras in a statement to Breaking Defense.
Fast forward to March 2025, with the F-35 seemingly off the table, Portugal’s next move remains unclear. When asked about the possibility of acquiring the Dassault Rafale, Melo declined to comment. Various options will likely be considered, most probably including the Saab Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Regardless, as expected, the tensions between the new U.S. administration and NATO are already driving some nations (and will probably drive more ones in the future) to reassess their defense procurement decisions.