Portugal's F-16 Replacement Draws Eurofighter Bid Plan and Rafale Offer Before Any Tender Opens

Portugal's search for a successor to its F-16 fleet gained a new bidder on Thursday, Sept. 24, when Airbus said it plans to submit an unsolicited proposal to supply Eurofighter Typhoon jets in late October or early November, Reuters reported from Lisbon. The announcement came a day after Dassault Aviation said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with AED Cluster Portugal, disclosing in the process that the French government had formally entered the Rafale in the F-16 replacement contest in July, Aviation Week reported on Sept. 23.

Portugal has not yet launched a formal tender, according to Reuters. The Eurofighter campaign manager for Portugal told reporters the proposal would include "public and private financing solutions for Portugal in order to alleviate the payment plan", together with industrial participation and military cooperation, Reuters said. Airbus builds the Typhoon with BAE Systems and Leonardo. The campaign manager argued that the Portuguese Air Force's primary tasks are air policing, NATO quick reaction alert and protection of national airspace and waters rather than deep offensive operations, Reuters reported, quoting him as saying: "For that the Eurofighter is the ideal solution."

Portugal's defense minister has called for competition among manufacturers to maximize benefits for the country and its industries, according to Reuters. The F-35 is widely seen by defense analysts as the leading contender, Reuters reported, naming the Rafale and Saab's Gripen E as the other competitors. Air Data News reported on Sept. 24 that a reported internal air force assessment using 20 technical criteria placed the F-35 first and the Gripen E second, while the government has stressed that no selection has been made. The future requirement could cover between 14 and 28 aircraft, according to figures previously discussed by Portuguese military officials, Air Data News said, adding that Saab has discussed possible local production, citing Embraer's role in the Brazilian Gripen program; Embraer controls the Portuguese manufacturer OGMA.

Dassault's agreement with AED Cluster Portugal explores cooperation between Rafale partners, including Safran and Thales, and Portuguese industry, Aviation Week said, noting that AED has similar agreements with Airbus for the Typhoon, Lockheed Martin for the F-35 and Saab for the Gripen E. FlightGlobal reported on Sept. 25 that Dassault disclosed the recent offer while advancing work with local industry.

Until early 2025 the Portuguese air force signaled its intent to replace the F-16 with the F-35, according to Aviation Week, which reported that in March 2025 Portuguese ministers declared the country would not pursue the F-35 because of concerns about the Trump administration's foreign policies, and that officials have since softened their stance.

The size of the fleet to be replaced is itself reported differently. Reuters puts it at 28 upgraded F-16M fighters, while Aviation Week's database lists 24 Block 15 F-16A/Bs upgraded through a Mid-Life Update. GlobalMilitary.net's inventory counts 28 aircraft, 24 single-seat F-16As and four two-seat F-16Bs, with none on order, flown from Monte Real Air Base. Portugal ranks 56th in our ATLAS military power ranking.

Most of Europe's other F-16 operators have already chosen a successor, and our data shows how far each has moved:

• Belgium: 12 F-35As in service and 33 on order, with 52 F-16A/Bs still flying
• Netherlands: 52 F-35As in service and five on order; no F-16s remain in the inventory
• Norway: 52 F-35As in service and none on order; no F-16s remain
• Denmark: 21 F-35As in service and 22 on order; no F-16s remain
• Poland: eight F-35As in service and 24 on order, with 47 F-16C/Ds still flying
• Romania: 32 F-35As on order, alongside 64 F-16A/Bs and three more on order
• Greece: 20 F-35As on order, plus 24 Rafales already in service
• Turkey: 44 Typhoons on order, alongside 236 F-16s and 40 more on order

Our comparison pages set the Rafale against the Typhoon and the F-35 against the Gripen.

Airbus's Eurofighter proposal is due in late October or early November, according to Reuters. Portugal has launched no tender and, as Air Data News reported, the government has stressed that no selection has been made.