What model will Portugal choose to replace the twenty-four F-16 AM/BM of its air force [FAP – Força Aérea Portuguesa] ?
If he has lost his favorite position, the F-35A still keeps his chances. In any case, its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, is working there, as evidenced by the memorandum of understanding which he recently signed with representatives of the Portuguese aeronautical industry.
For his part, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Éric Trappier, recently said that he “worked a lot” to try to convince Portugal to choose the Rafale. Same thing for Saab, who assured having discussions with Lisbon about JAS-39 Gripen E/F. It remains to be seen what the Eurofighter consortium will [Leonardo, Airbus, BAE Systems]EF-2000/Typhoon is also a possible pretender.
In any case, on July 18, during an interview with CNN Portugal, the Portuguese Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, said that “the replacement of the F-16 was not even on the agenda”. Which may seem curious since these devices will soon have exhausted their potential.
On the other hand, and it is undoubtedly even more surprising, Mr. Melo expressed the wish of Portugal to participate in one of the two European 6th generation combat aircraft programs as an observer. Which ? He did not specify it.
As a reminder, France, Germany and Spain are involved in the project of air combat system of the future [SCAF]. Project that Belgium has already joined with observer status.
As such, Brussels has released an envelope of 60 million euros in order to “optimally position the Belgian industrial and technological basis in terms of cooperation possibilities in the framework” of this project, the launch of phase 2 is still uncertain.
The other project, the GCAP [Global Combat Air Programme]is carried by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan. Saudi Arabia could join it. At least she expressed his interest.
The fact remains that, for Mr. Melo, the status of observer would prevent Portugal from spending a single euro.
“This is the objective: to participate in a project as an observer. And that would place us in a position that I would describe as advanced in relation to what the future necessarily has in store for us, “he said. “Portugal will not spend a single euro as an observer. This will allow us to follow the development of the plane from its first stages and ensure a strategic positioning without budgetary commitment, ”developed the Portuguese Minister.
However, Mr. Melo’s words aroused criticism. If he admits that participation in the SCAF or GCAP may have interesting benefits for the Portuguese industry, the former general Arnaut Moreira, has thus expressed some reservations. “I do not understand what we hear by observer in a process where no funding is at stake. These terms must be clarified by the ministry,” he told CNN Portugal.
“No one will allow us to access critical information without a contribution [financière]. I very much doubt that they let us observe things beyond the general questions. At most, we will attend meetings where they will present prototypes, ”abounded Agostinho Costa, another former general.
Photo : GCAP