Airbus pitches Eurofighter to Portugal as best replacement for F-16 jets
Airbus plans to submit an unsolicited proposal to Portugal in late October or early November to supply Eurofighter Typhoon jets as the country considers replacing its 28 upgraded F-16M fighters. The proposal would include financing solutions, industrial participation and military cooperation.
1. Proposal plans
Airbus said it plans to submit an unsolicited proposal to Portugal in late October or early November for Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Portugal has not yet launched a formal tender to replace its 28 upgraded F-16M fighters.
2. Offer and competition
The proposal would include public and private financing solutions to ease the payment plan, along with industrial participation and military cooperation, Eurofighter campaign manager Ivan Gonzalez Exposito said. Airbus said the aircraft would suit Portugal's air policing, NATO quick reaction alert and national airspace and waters protection tasks. The Typhoon faces competition from Lockheed Martin's F-35, Dassault Aviation's Rafale and Saab's Gripen E.
