Lisbon, Oct. 8, 2026 (Lusa) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Lisbon on Thursday that Portugal should buy the American F-35 aircraft, which he described as «the best in the world», and expressed confidence in the Portuguese government's decision-making process.
«The government will choose the aircraft; they will make the best decision. Now, if you ask me, as US Secretary of State, which aircraft do I think they should buy? We believe they should buy the F-35 because we believe it is the best fighter jet in the world,» he commented at a press conference following a meeting with the Portuguese foreign minister, Paulo Rangel, at the Palácio das Necessidades.
The United States, he added, «just wants a fair chance to make a presentation which will be very competitive».
«Now, I can say that there are advantages in terms of interoperability to having the F-35, because it is the same system we use and understand, but the choice will be theirs [the Portuguese Government]. We believe the F-35 is the best aircraft in the world. We want them to buy it. We will put on a very good presentation, but they will make the choice,» he insisted.
For his part, Paulo Rangel clarified that the decision on replacing the Portuguese Air Force's ageing fleet of F-16s «has not yet been taken», describing it as a process «to be steered» by the Ministry of Defence and one that involves the whole government.
«The Portuguese State will always decide in accordance with the national interest. The sole criterion will be the national interest,» he emphasised.
Portugal is considering replacing its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, a move expected to be included in the new Military Programming Act, to be presented to parliament later this year, according to a statement the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces made to Lusa on 19 September.
The US firm Lockheed Martin (which manufactures the F-35 Lightning II), the Swedish firm Saab (Gripen E), and the European consortium comprising Airbus (Eurofighter Typhoon) and Dassault (Rafale) are competing for the contract to replace the fighter aircraft.
JH/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
