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.

  • missandry351@lemmings.worldEnglish
    21·
    1 day ago

    Lol the Portuguese government just fell, we can’t really say much about other countries political stability

    • Justin@lemmy.jlh.name
      2·
      1 day 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