Sixth generation fighters may still seem like a “science fiction” project, but Nuno Melo wants Portugal involved in the project. The point is that it is not part of a consortium and without investing money, the experts in the area warn, it will be difficult to take advantage
It was an announcement in the middle of CNN Portugal: Nuno Melo, Minister of National Defense, revealed that Portugal will observe how a sixth generation fighter is made. An observer status who, for those who perceive defense, creates more doubts than certainty.
“What the Minister is doing is misleading advertising, is to put powder to the eyes,” reacts Major General Agostinho Costa, a specialist in defense and security matters.
Also Major General Arnaut Moreira, a specialist in geopolitics and geostrategic, shows many ellipsis regarding this ad. “The definition of what it is to be observer, in a process where you do not come in with money, is something I do not know. These are terms that need to be clarified by the ministry,” he says.
“The others will develop, we will follow”
Agostinho Costa stives that, being an observer and not part of a consortium that produces the sixth generation fighters, Portugal will eventually “see the process to pass by”.
“In practice, it means that others will develop and that we will follow,” he says.
And the possible advantages of this status immediately bump into a tradition of industry in general – and weaponry in particular: the industrial secret. “No one lets us have access to critical information without any contribution [financeiro]. I have many doubts that let us observe without being general things. How much, we go to meetings where they will present prototypes, ”adds Agostinho Costa.
“It is necessary to understand the degree of access of an observer to technologically important projects,” says Arnaut Moreira.
How do Portuguese companies involve?
Despite the ellipsis, Arnaut Moreira believes that a Portuguese connection to six -generation fighter development projects could benefit the Portuguese economy.
“The question is, how can I attract these development projects what is the national defense industry?” By Nuno Melo’s words, so far, he could not understand how.
CNN Portugal contacted the Ministry of Defense, having not received any clarification until the publication of this article.
NATO NATO American F-16 Fighters in Europe (Photo: Ronald Wittek/EPA)
Distant horizon
For Agostinho Costa, Nuno Melo is bringing a theme – or rather a technology – that is still distant. For the development of a new hunt, he points out, at least ten years are always needed.
“If we do not do part of a consortium, we will not produce anything,” he insists.
The defense and security expert gives the consortium example with Embraer for the production of the KC-390. “In this case, instead of sixth generation fighters, it would be more interesting to continue the partnership with Embraer for fifth generation fighters,” he says.
What are sixth generation fighters?
At this time, they are still an embryonic idea. However, there are goals that seem clear to those who know the Lides of War: a faster, more agile fighter, where technology takes the lead. “It’s something that is still part of science fiction,” simplifies Agostinho Costa.
Arnaut Moreira points out that what will distinguish this sixth generation of fighters will be their “ability to go unnoticed in relation to conventional aerial detection, to enter deep into the territory.”
Agostinho Costa anticipates that it is an “autonomous fighter, led by artificial intelligence”. In practice, a step forward in relation to current distance drones, which support fifth generation fighters when penetrating the enemy’s air defense system.
The expert also stresses that China already has prototypes of the new generation of this type of aircraft. “We are taking our first steps in autonomous weaponry,” he concludes.
