Airbus Signs MoU with Portuguese Industry in Eurofighter Typhoon Campaign

As Portugal evaluates options to replace its aging fleet of F-16AM/BM fighters by the early 2030s, Airbus has taken a strategic step by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Portuguese AED Cluster. The agreement is part of a broader campaign to position the Eurofighter Typhoon as the successor platform for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). The move also signals Airbus’ intent to deepen industrial ties and align with NATO interoperability goals.

Portugal’s Fighter Replacement Program Gathers Momentum

The Portuguese Air Force currently operates around 27 Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighters acquired in the late 1990s through the Peace Atlantis I/II programs. These aircraft have undergone multiple Mid-Life Updates (MLUs), but are projected to reach obsolescence within the next decade. In line with NATO capability targets and regional security dynamics—including increased Russian activity in the Atlantic and Mediterranean—the FAP has begun exploring options for a next-generation multirole fighter.

Portugal’s Ministry of National Defense has not yet issued an official Request for Proposal (RFP), but preliminary market consultations are underway. Leading contenders include:

Eurofighter Typhoon – Backed by Airbus and other European partners; offers high-end air superiority and multirole capabilities.
F-35A Lightning II – Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation stealth fighter; already operated by several NATO allies.
Dassault Rafale – France’s twin-engine multirole platform; recently selected by Croatia and Greece.
Gripen E/F – Saab’s cost-effective option; less likely due to limited NATO adoption.

AED Cluster Partnership: Industrial Footprint as Strategic Lever

The MoU signed between Airbus Defence and Space and Portugal’s AED Cluster (Aeronautics, Space and Defence) aims to identify long-term industrial cooperation opportunities. While non-binding at this stage, it signals Airbus’ willingness to localize elements of production, MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul), training, or R&D activities if selected for the FAP program.

The AED Cluster includes over 100 member organizations across aerospace manufacturing, research institutions, SMEs, and defense primes such as OGMA (Embraer-owned MRO specialist) and CEiiA. This ecosystem positions Portugal as an emerging player in European defense value chains—especially in unmanned systems, avionics integration, composite structures manufacturing, and dual-use space technologies.

The MoU was signed during a high-level event attended by Airbus representatives including Jean-Brice Dumont (Head of Military Air Systems), alongside Portuguese government officials from DGRDN (Directorate-General for National Defence Resources). According to Dumont:

“This agreement reflects our commitment not only to offer Portugal one of the most capable fighter platforms available today but also to invest in its national industry as part of a long-term partnership.”

Eurofighter’s Positioning Strategy in Southern Europe

The Eurofighter consortium—comprising Airbus (Germany/Spain), BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy)—has been actively reinforcing its footprint across southern Europe. Recent deals include Spain’s Halcón II program (€4.5B for additional Tranche 4 aircraft) and Germany’s Quadriga program. The platform is also being pitched as an interim capability bridge toward FCAS (Future Combat Air System), expected post-2040.

If selected by Portugal, Eurofighter would integrate seamlessly into existing NATO air policing missions over Eastern Europe and maritime patrol over the Atlantic approaches—areas where Portugal plays a strategic role via Lajes Field in the Azores. Moreover, commonality with Spanish Air Force operations could yield joint training efficiencies under Iberian Peninsula cooperation frameworks.

Industrial Offsets vs Stealth Capability Tradeoffs

A key decision factor for Lisbon will be balancing operational requirements against economic returns. While platforms like the F-35A offer unmatched stealth and sensor fusion capabilities suitable for contested airspace operations under NATO Article V scenarios, they come at high acquisition (~$80–100M per unit) and sustainment costs ($30K+/flight hour).

The Eurofighter offers robust sensor fusion via its CAPTOR-E AESA radar upgrade path and PIRATE IRST system but lacks full-spectrum stealth features. However, it compensates through higher speed (~Mach 2+), payload (~7+ tonnes across multiple hardpoints), twin-engine redundancy for maritime ops—and crucially—greater scope for local industrial participation under European procurement norms.

NATO Interoperability & FCAS Synergy Considerations

An additional layer influencing Lisbon’s decision is future-proofing interoperability within NATO C4ISR architectures. Both F-35A and Eurofighter offer Link-16 datalink compatibility; however, Eurofighter’s open mission system architecture allows easier integration into sovereign mission planning tools—a factor valued by smaller nations seeking autonomy within alliance frameworks.

Furthermore, joining Eurofighter could position Portugal favorably for eventual participation or Tier-3 involvement in FCAS—a Franco-German-Spanish sixth-generation combat air program targeting IOC beyond ~2040. While not formally invited yet into FCAS discussions like Belgium or Finland have been informally approached regarding Tempest/GCAP tracks—Portugal’s growing aerospace base makes it a plausible future contributor if aligned early via legacy platforms like Typhoon.