Portugal's jet dilemma: Weighing F‑35 vs Gripen amid US rift
Looking to acquire approximately 30 to 40 new fighter jets, Portugal has begun to have serious doubts about the F-35. Due to recent actions by the US administration and Europe's concerns about becoming too dependent on American weaponry, Portugal may ultimately choose a different fighter jet. Analysts from Defense Express point out which aircraft is being considered.
As early as 2023, the Chief of the Air Staff of Portugal, João Cartaxo Alves, stated that the currently used F-16s would be replaced by F-35s. Throughout 2024, Portuguese authorities spoke in a similar tone, identifying the F-35 as a clear favourite to strengthen the country's combat aviation. In recent weeks, the situation has drastically changed, and Portugal's Defence Minister Nuno Melo stated that "the geopolitical environment cannot be ignored", referring to the declining trust in Donald Trump and the USA.
Portugal and the choice of new fighter jets
João Nogueira, Director of the Weapon Systems Maintenance Division in the Portuguese Air Force, claims that the F-35 can no longer be considered a favourite, and other options are also being considered. Analysts from Defense Express believe that in practice, the main competitor to the F-35 in the context of the future contract for the Portuguese Air Force is the JAS-39 Gripen.
According to Swedish media, the JAS-39 Gripen has already been officially offered to Canada and Portugal. Manufactured by Saab, this aircraft is a fighter with canard control surfaces (providing excellent manoeuvrability) capable of reaching speeds of up to 2 Mach (approximately 2,130 km/h) and operating at altitudes up to about 18,000 metres. Its most noteworthy feature is the ability to operate from improvised runways (hardened roads several hundred metres long). It is also noticeably cheaper (in purchase and operation) than American fighters. It can carry various armaments and is equipped with AESA radar and the IRST Skyward-G system.
Stealth technology jet
In the context of new combat aircraft for the Portuguese Air Force and the American trajectory, the conventional variant of the F-35, the F-35A, is under consideration. It is a single-seat multirole fighter jet, with one of its most distinguishing features compared to competing solutions being its stealth technology (low detectability in flight).
As noted by analysts from Defense Express, this aspect might prove to be a strong bargaining chip for the US. Alongside the fact that in most NATO countries, the F-35A forms the backbone of combat aviation, ensuring high interoperability among Alliance forces.
The F-35A is also equipped to conduct electronic warfare while also being capable of carrying several tonnes of conventional armament in the form of various missiles and bombs. This fighter jet achieves a maximum speed of 1.6 Mach (about 2,000 km/h).
