Q. Europe is preparing a significant financial package for defence. If the AD government is re-elected, will it approve the purchase of F-35 aircraft?
“The F-16s are at the end of their cycle and we will have to think about their replacement. However, we cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices. The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO and in the international geostrategic plan, must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account. We must believe that, in all circumstances, these allies will be on our side. There are several options that must be considered, particularly in the context of European production and also taking into account the return that these options may have on the Portuguese economy.”
Q. The Air Force wants this replacement to be made with F-35s, which are American-made aircraft. What you are saying is that, due to the change in American foreign policy, it is less likely that Portugal will replace the F-16s with an American aircraft?
“The world has already changed. There were elections in the US, there was a position in relation to NATO and the world, stated by the Secretary of Defense and by the US President himself, which must also be taken into account in Europe and in what concerns Portugal. And this ally of ours, which has always been predictable over the decades, could bring limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios.”