Portugal Minister of National Defence João Nuno Lacerda Teixeira de Melo recently said that the country is aiming at joining one of the two competing European ‘sixth-generation’ combat aircraft programmes as an observer.
The European sixth-generation combat aircraft initiatives: the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), known in French as the Système de Combat Aérien du Futur (SCAF), or the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Portugal will be joining the programme with France, Germany, and Spain (and Belgium as an observer) or the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
The Portuguese Air Force’s strategic objective to modernize its aerial capabilities align with the fighter programme’s objectives. Portugal’s current fleet includes the Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon, which is undergoing upgrades to the Operational Flight Program (OFP) S3.25 standard, reports Defrocs.
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is considered to be a leading contender for replacement while some other options are also considered such as Dassault Rafale, known for its versatility and advanced multirole capabilities, Eurofighter Typhoon – Noted for its agility and combat performance, Saab Gripen E which is recognized for its cost-effectiveness and technological innovations.
The decision to align Portugal’s interests with either FCAS or GCAP will be crucial in shaping its air power landscape for years to come and also a recent objective to modernize the country’s aerial landscape.
