2023-12-01 22:52:06
The Spanish Air Force and Navy are becoming increasingly isolated in the face of the increasing number of countries that are opting to acquire the American fifth-generation F-35 fighter to renew their aircraft. In fact, most of the countries around us have this device or have already announced the decision to buy it, with the exception of France, which maintains its commitment to its own production with its Rafale, and Portugal.
United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Greece, Switzerland, Czech Republic and even Romania, the second poorest country in the EU. The avalanche of purchases of the Lockheed Martin fighter makes manufacturers think that by 2034 there will be more than 600 units of the F-35 operating in Europe and of those 600, there will only be about 50 that are American.
Well, it seems that Portugal would also be taking the necessary steps to acquire the F-35. On November 27, the leader of the Portuguese Air Force, General João Cartasho Alves, announced the modernization plan for the “Air Force 5.3”. Its components cover the acquisition of MALE drones, light attack aircraft and fifth-generation fighter-bombers. The proposed drone, deduced from the “Air Force 5.3” plan, is the MQ-9 SkyGuardian manufactured by the American company General Atomics.
The purchase of light attack aircraft is also planned, with Embraer’s A-29N “Super Tucano” being the preferred option.
The fate of the F-16AM/BM, still in service, has been under scrutiny since at least 2019. The Portuguese Ministry of Defense indicated in October of that year that the remaining aircraft should remain operational until they are replaced by models of fifth generation. The final decision on this matter must be made within this decade.
After confirming the choice of the F-35 as the preferred option, General Alves gave the green light to political leaders to finalize the modalities of this acquisition, probably for two squadrons, or 24 units.
Since the acquisition of new fighter aircraft was not included in Portugal’s military planning law, it would be necessary to wait for its next review, in 2027.
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