Portugal has scrapped its plans to purchase American-made F-35 fighter jets and will instead replace its aging fleet of F-16s with European aircraft, the country’s Defense Minister confirmed.
Speaking to Portuguese newspaper Público, Defense Minister Nuno Melo said the decision was driven by growing geopolitical uncertainty and the unpredictability of future U.S. defense policy.
“The world has already changed,” Melo said. “There were elections in the U.S., there was a position in relation to NATO and the world, stated by the Secretary of Defense and by the U.S. President himself, which must also be taken into account in Europe and in what concerns Portugal.”
The minister emphasized that while the U.S. has historically been a reliable ally, shifting political landscapes have raised concerns about long-term logistical and operational dependencies. He cited possible “limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios.”
Portugal had previously been considering the U.S.-built F-35 Lightning II as a replacement for its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced multi-role stealth fighters in the world, widely used by NATO allies.
However, with rising concerns over transatlantic security cohesion and a push for greater European strategic autonomy, Lisbon’s pivot to European-built jets aligns with a broader trend within the EU to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
While the Portuguese government has not yet confirmed which European model it will procure, options could include the Eurofighter Typhoon or the French Dassault Rafale, both already in use by several NATO members.
The decision marks a significant shift in defense procurement strategy and underscores growing European calls to reduce reliance on U.S. military technology amid uncertain global dynamics.
