Portugal’s Air Force continues to view the Lockheed Martin F-35A as a strong candidate to replace its aging fleet of F-16s, despite earlier mixed signals from the defense minister. Major General João Nogueira emphasized structural and avionics issues with the current fighters, stressing the importance of moving toward fifth-generation capabilities. While alternative options are being considered, Nogueira underscored the F-35’s significance in maintaining advanced airpower. Portugal plans to spend $4.6 billion on defense in 2024 as it works toward meeting NATO’s 2% GDP benchmark by 2029. The decision on a new fighter is expected in the coming years. Original news
Category: Portugal
Portugal Considers European Jets Over F-35s Amid U.S. Policy Uncertainty
Portugal may replace its aging F-16 fighter jets with European alternatives instead of the F-35 due to concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting NATO policies. Defense Minister Nuno Melo highlighted fears that the U.S. could impose restrictions on aircraft use, maintenance, and components, impacting Portugal’s operational readiness. Despite these concerns, the Defense Ministry clarified that the F-35 has not been ruled out, but European-made jets are also under consideration. Portugal’s decision reflects broader European concerns about reducing reliance on U.S. defense systems amid growing uncertainty over future American security commitments. Original news
REPMUS 2024: Portuguese Navy and NATO focus on counter-UAV systems
NATO’s Exercise ‘REPMUS 24’ (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Unmanned Maritime Systems) tested Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) systems. Michael Stewart, U.S. chairman of NATO Naval Armaments Group, highlighted the challenge posed by low-cost unmanned systems versus expensive countermeasures. Stewart noted NATO and the U.S. are focused on addressing this imbalance, but could not share specifics, referencing efforts to prevent both drones and their operators from launching attacks. Portuguese Navy Admiral Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo emphasized the economic inefficiency of using costly surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to counter inexpensive UAVs. He suggested future solutions may involve a combination of […]