Portugal Seeks Industrial Dividend From Fighter Contest

Tony Osborne October 06, 2026

Portuguese F-16 flying — The Portuguese Air Force operates 24 Block 15 F-16A/Bs. Although they are still effective, their age makes replacing them a priority for the service.

Credit: Tony Osborne/AW&ST

Portugal looks set to be the venue for Europe’s next big fighter contest. Portuguese fighter acquisition could be worth €5 billion All bidders in the competition have signed agreements with the AED Cluster The competitors—Airbus, representing the four-country Eurofighter consortium, Dassault with...

Tony Osborne

Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines.

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