Story perspectives

Portugal weighs buying U.S. F-35 to replace F-16s

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 3:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Rangel Considers F-35

Portugal's foreign minister Paulo Rangel said Lisbon is seriously considering the U.S. F-35 to replace its F-16 fleet.
Paulo Rangel made the statement after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Lisbon on Oct 8, 2026.
Portugal currently operates 28 upgraded F-16M and 25 modernized F-16AM/BM jets from Monte Real Air Base.
No tender has started, and competitors such as Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, and Saab Gripen E are being considered.

Summary

Portugal probes Lajes

Portugal’s attorney general opened an investigation into Lajes Base legality after a Left Bloc complaint.
Portugal plans to raise defense spending to about 3% of GDP, including dual-use civilian projects.
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History

Historical Context

The April 23-25 1999 Washington summit marked NATO’s 50th anniversary and welcomed three new members—Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland—while launching the Strategic Concept and Defence Capabilities Initiative. Although the alliance only formalized a 2 % of GDP defence-spending target in 2014, by 2024 a record 23 of 32 members met it, underscoring the long-term push for burden-sharing begun in the late-1990s.

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Rangel Considers F-35

Portugal's foreign minister Paulo Rangel said Lisbon is seriously considering the U.S. F-35 to replace its F-16 fleet.
Paulo Rangel made the statement after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Lisbon on Oct 8, 2026.
Portugal currently operates 28 upgraded F-16M and 25 modernized F-16AM/BM jets from Monte Real Air Base.
No tender has started, and competitors such as Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, and Saab Gripen E are being considered.

1 / 3