U.S. Ambassador Urges Portugal to Buy F-35s

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sam King

Photo of an F-35A.

John Arrigo, the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, has urged Lisbon to replace its ageing F-16 fighter jets with F-35 Lightning II, stating that the advanced stealth aircraft would ensure interoperability with Europe’s leading air forces.

Speaking to CNN Portugal late on Sunday, Ambassador Arrigo said he intends to draw on his business experience to assist Portugal in increasing defence spending to meet NATO’s target of 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, up from the current level of 2%.

"F-35 is the best fighter - it's a fifth-generation stealth fighter, it'll get them (the Portuguese Air Force) into the Champions League when it comes to the EU," Arrigo said.

Nuno Melo, Portugal’s Defence Minister, said in November that the process to select replacement fighter jets had not yet begun.

John Arrigo noted that more than 900 F-35 jets were already in service or on order across Europe and said: “For interoperability, the F-35 is definitely the way to go,” highlighting that 25% of the aircraft is made from European components.

On relations with China, Ambassador Arrigo clarified that the Trump administration is not pressuring Portugal to choose between Washington and Beijing or to decouple from China. Instead, the U.S. promotes “de-risking,” focusing on cybersecurity and investment screening.

Chinese companies expanded their presence in Portugal following the 2011–14 bailout, when lower asset prices attracted foreign investors. Portugal secured a €78 billion bailout in May 2011 from the EU, IMF, and ECB after borrowing costs soared during the eurozone debt crisis, but agreed to strict austerity measures that triggered a deep recession.

China Three Gorges holds 21.4% of the utility company EDP, China State Grid owns 25% of the grid operator REN, and Hong Kong‑listed Fosun controls 20% of Millennium BCP and 85% of Fidelidade.

Arrigo described the U.S. as Portugal’s “best partner” while seeking to keep any adversary at arm’s length. Portugal joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in December 2018, but Arrigo said Lisbon’s partnership with the U.S. would “flourish” if it were to exit the initiative, as Italy did in 2023.

Source: Reuters



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