Airbus to pitch Eurofighter Typhoon to Portugal as F-16 replacement

Airbus plans to hand Portugal an unsolicited proposal in late October or early November to supply Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets, as Lisbon prepares to replace its ageing F-16 fleet. The European manufacturer is pitching the Typhoon as a better fit for the country's requirements than Lockheed Martin's F-35.

Portugal has not yet opened a formal tender to replace its 28 upgraded F-16M fighter jets. The early move by Airbus signals growing competition for a contract that would strengthen Lisbon's defence ties with either European or American partners. The Typhoon is built by Airbus together with Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo.

The offer is expected to include public and private financing options aimed at easing the payment schedule for Portugal, alongside industrial participation and military cooperation linked to the deal, Eurofighter's campaign manager for Portugal, Ivan Gonzalez Exposito, told reporters.

Airbus Defence & Space Head of Europe Jose Luis de Miguel said Portugal could also gain from closer defence, political and industrial ties with key European partners in the Eurofighter programme.

Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo has said he wants manufacturers to compete so the country and its industries can secure the best possible terms.

The Typhoon faces competition from the F-35, which defence analysts widely regard as the leading contender, as well as Dassault Aviation's Rafale and Saab's Gripen E.

Gonzalez Exposito argued that the Portuguese Air Force's main missions centre on air policing, NATO quick reaction alert duties and protecting national airspace and waters, rather than offensive operations deep inside enemy territory — the F-35's primary design purpose. He described the Eurofighter as "the ideal solution" for those tasks and "the best air superiority fighter in the world".