General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Public Domain
Military
Aviation
/ Europe
Replacement
Portugal wants the F-35 fighter to replace its F-16s
By: Rafael Ramos
On: 12/7/2023
Lockheed Martin F-35
Public Domain
Portugal, a NATO member country, is expected to replace its F-16 fighters with the Lockheed Martin F-35. The aircraft, however, would only begin to be received in the 2030s.
The country has around 30 F-16 fighters, dating back to acquisitions in 1994 and 1999. The current F-16s must undergo upgrades to remain operational until the end of the decade.
On November 27, General João Guilherme Rosado Cartaxo Alves, chief of staff of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), showed plans to acquire MALE drones and light attack aircraft. He also said that the Lockheed Martin F-35 is Portugal's favorite choice among competing fighters.
“The F-35 aircraft appears to be the appropriate aircraft to replace the current F-16 in the future, as European Partner States have migrated from the F-16 to the F-35,” said General João Cartaxo Alves last week. Monday, during a military conference on air transport and in-flight refueling in Lisbon.
Portugal still needs to formalize the request with the USA, which could happen soon. For now, the progress process is not yet underway.
“This is a vision for the future, therefore there is currently no process to purchase aircraft to replace the F-16s,” a spokesperson for the office of Portuguese Defense Minister Helena Carreras told Breaking Defense today in a statement. .
In contrast, there was no mention of an F-35 acquisition or an F-16 replacement effort in Portugal in the Military Programming Law (LPM), which establishes major defense acquisitions and long-term national defense spending, which It was approved by the country's Council of Ministers in March 2023.
If Portugal wants to proceed with the F-35, discussions with the US will be the first step. A US State Department official told Breaking Defense: “We cannot disclose private diplomatic conversations that partners have with us about their acquisition choices.”
Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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