Dassault
There are already two possible interested in selling European fighters to Portugal. French aircraft promise more, but do not beat the price of Swedes.
Defense Minister Nuno Melo made it clear that “the world has already changed”, and Portugal will no longer acquire US fighters, the so far imported F-35.
“We cannot be oblivious to the geopolitical surroundings. The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO and in the international geostrategic plan, has to make us think about the best options because our allies’ predictability is a greater good to take into account,” he said as reasons.
But the question that is imposed is what will be the fighters to be imported? Nuno Melo spoke in European drones, and in fact there are already 2 competitors, with different advantages. Let us know them.
Dassault Rafale: Lethal omnirole
The first company to move forward with a desire to offer was the Frenchman Dassault Rafale, still in March. According to, all options are less developed than the F-35, but the Rafale have their advantages.
In addition to attacking targets, these planes are equipped with an anti-navy attack system (and Portugal has a long coast to protect) and even Transport of nuclear weapons. They also have a large load capacity: 9.5 tons.
The company also highlights the interoperabilityas the aircraft can go “collaborating and communicating in real time with other systems, and even sharing support systems and equipment” for coordination with allies.
It also stands out omnirole capacitythat is, the possibility of performing several different missions in the course of the same mission. Flies 1,850 kilometers without replenishment.
It is the most advantageous aircraft in terms of quality, which best responds to Portuguese needs, but it is also more expensive than competitors: One aircraft costs 120 million euros, and one hour of flight corresponds to 15 thousand.
Gripen: Small, dodging and intelligent
Other major competitors are the drones of Swedish Gripen, who
First, they are smallwhich makes them harder to detect, and also have the help of a design that reduces radar signature. Due to the configuration of its wings, it can fly 1,500 kilometers without replenishment.
It also has a great advantage: the cost. Its flight time is 4 thousand euros, which is significantly inferior to many competitors.
“Gripen’s unique architecture is the definition of intelligent“, It reads in the company, where it is written that another positive point is the possibility of to update o interior of the device with new technology without interfering with its external structure.
The disadvantage is that it is more exposed to US restrictions because it has several components (including the engine) that are manufactured in this country.
