In a recent interview, the Portuguese defence minister said Lisbon must consider alternatives to the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter for its fleet modernisation, in light of recent comments from Washington about support for NATO and rhetoric toward allies.
Leonardo expects orders to be in place for 350 aircraft via the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) by the time of a new fighter’s service introduction in 2035. We look at its partner nations’ current fleet mixes.