Portugal may back out of its planned €5.5 billion purchase of US-made F-35 fighter jets, with its defense minister citing concerns about the unpredictability of the Trump administration’s policies as a key factor in their decision.
Outgoing Defense Minister Nuno Melo told Portuguese media outlet Público that although the Portuguese Air Force recommended purchasing Lockheed Martin F-35s, recent US positions within NATO have raised serious concerns.
“The F-16s are at the end of their lifecycle and we will have to think about how to replace them. However, we cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices,” Melo said. “The predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account.”
Portuguese officials worry about potential US restrictions on foreign-operated F-35s, particularly the withholding of software updates and spare parts essential for optimal performance and security. These limitations could prevent Portugal from fully utilizing the aircraft if US approval isn’t granted.
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Portugal had initially planned a two-decade transition to the F-35 with an allocated budget of €5.5 billion. Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, General João Cartaxo Alves, had previously confirmed the transition from F-16s to F-35s had already begun.
When asked specifically about the Dassault Rafale as an alternative, Melo said it “was not a discussion” for their interview. Observers believe Portugal will likely consider other European-produced aircraft such as the Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon.
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