{"id":158983,"date":"2026-09-28T03:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=158983"},"modified":"2026-09-27T22:08:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T16:38:41","slug":"portugal-eyes-these-new-fighter-jets-as-f-16-replacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/28\/portugal-eyes-these-new-fighter-jets-as-f-16-replacement\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal Eyes These New 5th-Gen Fighter Jets as F-16 Replacement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LISBON\u2014<\/strong> Dassault Aviation<\/a> has formally entered the race to replace Portugal\u2019s aging F-16 fighter<\/a> fleet, submitting the Rafale to the Portuguese government and Air Force as Lisbon prepares for one of its most important military aircraft procurement decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French manufacturer has now strengthened its campaign by signing an industrial cooperation agreement with AED Cluster Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement was signed on September 23 at the French Embassy in Lisbon and brings Dassault, along with Rafale partners Thales and Safran, closer to Portuguese aerospace and defense companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"General
Photo: USAF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rafale Joins Competition for the F-16<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dassault\u2019s latest move follows the formal submission of its Rafale proposal to Portugal in July 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is seeking to establish industrial cooperation with Portuguese companies alongside its offer of the French multirole fighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memorandum of understanding with AED Cluster Portugal is intended to identify areas where Rafale program partners and Portuguese industry could cooperate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dassault said the arrangement would build on relationships already established in Portugal while creating additional opportunities for national companies to participate in aerospace and defense value chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AED Cluster Portugal represents Portugal\u2019s aeronautics, space and defense industries and acts as a link between domestic companies and international manufacturers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its involvement therefore gives the fighter campaign an industrial dimension in addition to the aircraft\u2019s operational capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French proposal is not being considered in isolation. AED has already signed similar cooperation agreements with manufacturers involved in other aircraft being discussed for the F-16 replacement requirement, including Airbus for the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin for the F-35<\/a> and Saab for the Gripen E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portugal has yet to open a formal competition, meaning the current manufacturer activity represents the preparation and positioning phase rather than a completed procurement contest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo has said that the eventual process will involve a technical comparison and consideration of the benefits each option could provide to the country and its industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Finnish
Photo: Ilmavoimat\/ Finnish Air Force<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Portugal Reconsiders F-35<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The replacement program has changed direction several times since Portugal initially showed strong interest in the F-35. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lockheed Martin aircraft had been viewed as a potential successor to the F-16, particularly because of Portugal\u2019s long-standing operation of American-built fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That position came under pressure in March 2025, when Defence Minister Nuno Melo said changes in the United States\u2019 approach to NATO and Europe had raised questions about the predictability of relying on American equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portugal\u2019s Defence Ministry said the F-35 remained under consideration but that European alternatives would also be assessed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government later adopted a more open approach to the competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2025, Melo said Portugal wanted both American and European manufacturers to compete so that the country could seek greater industrial participation, technology transfers and other benefits from the eventual purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-35 has nevertheless remained part of the discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 2026, the U.S. ambassador to Portugal publicly promoted the aircraft as a potential replacement for the Portuguese F-16 fleet, while Portuguese officials continued to stress that the selection process had not yet formally started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: United States Armed Forces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Four Fighters In Contention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal\u2019s F-16 replacement effort is increasingly developing into a contest involving several advanced fighter designs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside Dassault\u2019s Rafale, the main aircraft publicly associated with the requirement are Lockheed Martin\u2019s F-35A, Saab\u2019s Gripen E\/F and the Eurofighter Typhoon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese Air Force currently operates modernized F-16s, with available reporting identifying 24 F-16 AM aircraft and four F-16BM two-seat aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fleet has received Mid-Life Update work to extend its operational usefulness, but Portugal is now preparing for its eventual replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need to maintain the existing fleet during the transition remains evident. In August 2026, Portugal authorized spending of up to \u20ac9.5 million on general overhauls of two F100 engine core modules used by its F-16s, with payments extending into 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of replacement aircraft has not been finalized through a formal tender, Aviation Week<\/a> flagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portuguese reporting has previously indicated a potential requirement for between 14 and 28 fighters, with the overall procurement potentially reaching several billion euros, although those figures remain part of the preliminary discussion rather than an announced contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus is also preparing to intensify its campaign for the Eurofighter. The company said in September that it planned to submit an unsolicited proposal to Portugal in late October or early November, adding another European offer to the growing field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Belgian Air Component F-16 | Photo: NATO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Dassault, the latest agreement is therefore about more than presenting another fighter aircraft to Lisbon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is attempting to demonstrate how Rafale-related industrial activity could connect Portuguese companies with the wider French aerospace and defense ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final selection will depend on the procurement process that Portugal has yet to launch. Until then, the Rafale\u2019s July submission and September industrial agreement place Dassault firmly among the manufacturers seeking to replace Portugal\u2019s F-16 fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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