Airbus proposes Eurofighter Typhoon to replace Portugal's F-16 fleet

Airbus has announced its intention to submit a spontaneous proposal to Portugal to supply Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The move aims to replace Lisbon’s aging fleet of 28 F-16M aircraft.

Following a shift in priority away from the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35A, the Portuguese government is increasingly looking toward European defense solutions to ensure greater autonomy. This shift has set the stage for a competition between the Eurofighter Typhoon and the French-made Dassault Rafale.

Airbus’s proposal is expected to include public-private financing solutions designed to reduce the budgetary impact on the Portuguese government, alongside opportunities for local industrial participation and increased military cooperation with European partners. Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo has expressed a desire to encourage competition among manufacturers to maximize benefits for the country and its domestic industries.