US urges Portugal to replace ageing F-16s with F-35 to secure NATO interoperability
The U.S. ambassador to Portugal urged Lisbon to retire its ageing F-16 fleet and buy Lockheed Martin F-35s, saying the stealth fighter would ensure interoperability with Europe’s top-tier air forces and strengthen Portugal’s contribution to NATO operations. The appeal underscores U.S. diplomatic pressure on allied procurement choices.