Dassault Aviation signs cooperation agreement with AED Cluster Portugal

Dassault Aviation, representing partners Thales and Safran, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AED Cluster Portugal to explore industrial cooperation. The agreement, signed at the French Embassy in Lisbon, follows the official submission of a Rafale bid to the Portuguese government and Air Force in July 2026.

This move is part of the competition to replace Portugal’s aging F-16 fleet. Alongside the Rafale bid, Airbus Defence and Space has also engaged with the Portuguese aerospace sector, presenting a white paper regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon. Airbus proposed an industrial package spanning 40 years that would include manufacturing, software development, cybersecurity, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work for Portuguese companies.

The competition for the F-16 replacement includes the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35A, and Saab Gripen E. While various manufacturers have established agreements or pitches with the AED Cluster, the Portuguese government has not yet opened a formal procurement process.