Portugal Drops Plans for F-35 Citing U.S. Political Uncertainty
theaviationist.com
The recent shift in U.S. policy toward NATO has led the Portuguese Defense Minister to deem a potential F-35 procurement unlikely. In an interview with

Summary

Portugal has abandoned plans to buy F-35 fighter jets due to concerns over the Trump administration’s NATO stance and potential U.S. restrictions on foreign-operated aircraft.

Defense Minister Nuno Melo cited unpredictability in U.S. policy as a key factor, despite earlier Air Force plans to replace aging F-16s with F-35s.

Portugal now considers European alternatives like the Rafale, Gripen, or Eurofighter.

The decision reflects growing European unease over U.S. defense commitments, with other nations likely to reconsider American-made military equipment.

  • booly@sh.itjust.works
    21·
    18 hours ago

    So, the only thing stopping this “myth” from becoming reality is a set of rules, not a physical obstacle or technical limitation.

    No, I think you’ve got it backwards.

    There’s no technical or electronic or mechanical kill switch. The method of limiting the use of the aircraft is entirely contractual agreements between the nations, telling the partners that they’re not allowed to modify or test the aircraft without U.S. approval.

    In other words, the kill switch itself is nothing but a set of rules, not a physical obstacle or technical limitation.

      • booly@sh.itjust.works
        4·
        15 hours ago

        We’re saying the same thing.

        I read your comment to say “the only thing stopping the kill switch is rules,” when I’m pointing out that “the only thing constituting a kill switch is rules,” and those are two distinct ideas that have different implications.