U.S. Makes F-35 Push As Portugal Weighs F-16 Replacement

Key Points:

• The United States is intensifying efforts to sell Portugal the F-35 fighter jet as a replacement for its aging F-16 fleet, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio promising a “very competitive” offer during talks in Lisbon.
• Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that Portugal is seriously considering the F-35 proposal but remains open to other options, emphasizing that the final decision will prioritize national interests.
• Portugal currently operates 25 modernized F-16AM/BM aircraft, which, despite upgrades, rely on aging radar and systems; the country faces a strategic choice between further investing in fourth-generation fighters or transitioning to fifth-generation technology like the F-35.
• European competitors including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, and Saab Gripen E are also vying for Portugal’s fighter replacement contract, with Airbus planning to submit an unsolicited Eurofighter proposal that includes financing and industrial cooperation.
• Choosing the F-35 would deepen Portugal’s military ties with the U.S. and align it with a growing number of European NATO members operating the stealth fighter, while selecting a European jet might offer industrial and political benefits amid broader debates on European defense autonomy.