- Portugal is reconsidering the purchase of F-35s over changing US relations with Europe.
- Portugal is gearing up to spend $6 billion transitioning its air force to the jet.
- But its defense minister said Donald Trump's stance toward NATO "must be taken into account."
Portugal says it's uneasy about replacing its older US-made F-16 fighter jets with F-35s over doubts about President Donald Trump's behavior toward the US's allies, as well as future access to maintenance and parts.
On Thursday, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo told the newspaper Público that "we cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices."
He also said the most recent US posture toward NATO "must make us think about the best options."
Melo, who also leads Portugal's CDS-People's Party, did not entirely rule out buying the planes, but said: "The world has already changed."
If Portugal does reverse course, it would represent the loss of a lucrative contract for Lockheed Martin, the jet's manufacturer, that appeared to have been all but locked in.
Last April, Portugal's air force chief of staff, Gen. João Cartaxo Alves, said pilot training with Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force had already begun ahead of an anticipated $6 billion transition to the F-35.
The F-35 Lightning II is considered one of the world's most advanced fighter jets.
A chill in the air
Melo's statements came amid a distinct chilling of relations between the US and Europe, particularly over military matters.
Trump has sidelined European leaders from recent Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations and has repeatedly criticized Europe's financial contributions to Ukraine's defense.
Melo said Portugal had always seen the US as a reliable ally but recent US changes in stance toward NATO and the rest of the world must be taken into account.
He also raised concerns that the US could place limitations on the maintenance and supply of components for the F-35: "Everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios."
Portugal is facing snap elections after its government lost a vote of confidence this week, throwing further uncertainty over the country's long-term stance toward the jet.
At least 10 European countries have F-35s in their fleets, and Lockheed Martin has industrial partnerships in six European nations. The company has described the F-35 as the "NATO standard fighter of choice."
Norway announced in February that it had taken delivery of three more F-35s, bringing its fleet of the aircraft to 49.
Earlier this week, the Netherlands' defense minister, Ruben Brekelmans, told reporters that F-35 partner countries remained fully committed to the program.
In a statement sent to BI, Lockheed Martin said it "values our strong partnership and history with the Portuguese Air Force and looks forward to continuing that partnership into the future."
It also said questions about foreign military sales of the F-35 were best addressed by the US government.
The White House and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
