Portugal Drops Plans for F-35 Citing U.S. Political Uncertainty
theaviationist.com
The recent shift in U.S. policy toward NATO has led the Portuguese Defense Minister to deem a potential F-35 procurement unlikely. In an interview with

Summary

Portugal has abandoned plans to buy F-35 fighter jets due to concerns over the Trump administration’s NATO stance and potential U.S. restrictions on foreign-operated aircraft.

Defense Minister Nuno Melo cited unpredictability in U.S. policy as a key factor, despite earlier Air Force plans to replace aging F-16s with F-35s.

Portugal now considers European alternatives like the Rafale, Gripen, or Eurofighter.

The decision reflects growing European unease over U.S. defense commitments, with other nations likely to reconsider American-made military equipment.

  • JustinA
    2·
    18 hours ago

    At least you guys have coalitions. The US parliament can never agree on anything, and the agencies shut down like every other year because of political shenanigans