Portugal’s Fighter Jet Pivot: Gripen Gains Ground as Lisbon Drops F-35 Plans

Portugal’s Fighter Jet Pivot: Gripen Gains Ground as Lisbon Drops F-35 Plans

Portugal has shifted its fighter jet procurement strategy, moving away from the American F-35A and opening negotiations with Sweden’s Saab for the JAS 39 Gripen. This decision, confirmed by Saab’s CEO Micael Johansson in April 2025, follows Defense Minister Nuno Melo’s announcement in March that Portugal would cancel its planned acquisition of 27 to 28 […]

Melo was followed shortly after by Canada's Defense Minister Bill Blair, stating that they are seriously considering an alternative to the F-35, in this case for a fleet of 88 aircraft that his country has already pledged to acquire, and of which it has even begun to pay the first 16.In this context, Saab's CEO, Michael Johansson, confirmed a few days ago in an interview in the Swedish medium Dagens Industri that he already has contacts with Por…