Lockheed urges Portugal to keep single fighter fleet

Lockheed Martin believes Portugal should operate a single fighter fleet when it replaces its ageing F-16s, rather than combine aircraft from different manufacturers, Chauncey McIntosh, vice-president and general manager of the F-35 programme, told ECO. The issue matters because Lisbon has yet to launch a formal procurement process and the choice will shape defence spending, training and interoperability with European allies.

In the interview, McIntosh said a single-platform fleet would make more sense for Portugal in terms of costs, maintenance, pilot training and operational integration. He argued that “particularly the F-35” would simplify support and reduce the burden of running different systems, at a time when some analysts have suggested Portugal could opt for a mixed solution combining US and European aircraft.

Portugal’s government has not yet opened the official competition to replace the F-16s, but Lockheed Martin, Sweden’s Saab and the Eurofighter consortium are already positioning themselves. Defence Minister Nuno Melo had initially appeared to rule out the US option amid geopolitical turbulence linked to the Trump administration, but has since said the race remains open, according to the material provided.

McIntosh also said Portugal already has the air bases needed to integrate the F-35 and argued the aircraft would fit easily into the Portuguese Air Force’s existing training and maintenance structures. He said the jet’s role as a deterrent and its use by 13 European countries would allow Portugal to connect more closely with wider European air operations in the 2030s.

Originally published at Eco.pt