The United States is urging Portugal to select the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the replacement for its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, as Washington seeks to secure a commitment from Lisbon amid renewed competition in the European fighter market.
U.S. Ambassador to Portugal John Arrigo said the fifth-generation stealth jet would guarantee interoperability with leading European air forces and strengthen Portugal’s position within NATO. Speaking to CNN Portugal, Arrigo described the F-35 as the “best fighter” and said the aircraft would place the Portuguese Air Force “in the Champions League” of European militaries.
Portugal has yet to formally launch its replacement program. Defense Minister Nuno Melo said in November that the selection process had not started.
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The pressure from Washington comes after Portugal opened discussions with Sweden’s Saab regarding the Gripen E/F and with France’s Dassault Aviation over the Rafale. Those contacts followed political uncertainty in 2025, when U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew American support from certain NATO commitments, prompting several European governments to reassess long-term dependence on U.S. defense platforms.
The F-35 is currently operated or on order by more than a dozen European nations, with over 900 aircraft either delivered or contracted across the continent. The jet’s appeal rests largely on its stealth characteristics, sensor fusion and integration within NATO command networks.
Portugal’s existing F-16 fleet, originally acquired in the 1990s, has undergone upgrades but faces end-of-life constraints in the coming decade. Any replacement decision would shape the country’s air combat capabilities for the next 30 to 40 years.
Arrigo also urged Lisbon to increase defense spending toward NATO’s target of 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, up from roughly 2% today, aligning with Washington’s push for greater European burden-sharing.
The fighter debate unfolds alongside broader geopolitical considerations. Portugal joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, and Chinese investment expanded in the country following its 2011–2014 sovereign debt crisis bailout. While Arrigo said Washington was not demanding Lisbon sever ties with Beijing, he framed the United States as Portugal’s preferred strategic partner.
