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.
Wish Australia would follow suit with their submarine orders. If only they hadn’t just made an $800m instalment…