US seeks ‘fair chance’ to pitch F-35s to Portugal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Lisbon on Thursday that Washington wants a “fair opportunity” to present a “competitive proposal” for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 as Portugal prepares to replace its ageing F-16 fighter jets, a procurement that could be worth about €5 billion. The choice matters for defence suppliers and allies because it will shape one of Portugal’s biggest military purchases.

Speaking alongside Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, Rubio said: “All we ask is a fair opportunity to make a presentation and a competitive proposal,” adding that the F-35 is “the best aircraft in the world”. The formal procurement process has not yet started, but four manufacturers have already positioned themselves for the contract, including Lockheed Martin.

Rangel said the decision has not been taken and will be made by the Portuguese government, not by the foreign ministry. “The Portuguese state always decides on the basis of the national interest,” he said, adding that the F-35 proposal “will be taken seriously, as we take others”.

ECO has reported that Portugal’s Air Force already operates F-16s and that Lockheed Martin had been seen as a natural contender, with the military branch having publicly signalled a preference for the F-35. But the article says geopolitical tensions within NATO and pressure from Brussels for member states to buy European equipment have complicated the debate, with Dassault Aviation, the Eurofighter consortium and Saab also in the running.

Rubio also praised Portugal’s commitment to invest more in defence and said the US wants to work with allies on the “next generation of weaponry” and advanced military technology. ECO reported that expectations are building for the fighter replacement to be included in Portugal’s next military programming law, which must be submitted by the end of the year.

Originally published at Eco.pt