Regarding to previous Chef Manuel Rolo, he indicated transitioning from a F-16 to a 5th generation is expensive. Does he mean Portugal is not in an economic situation to buy new ones or are we getting the F-16V upgrade soon?
The previous PoAF Chief of Staff had nothing to do with it [the F-16V option]; that observation and remarks were made by the former MoD, Azeredo Lopes, 2 years ago when asked about the future of our fighter fleet. Today, with a new MoD, the Viper upgrade appears more likely to be dropped in favour of going for the 5th generation F-35A, like our MNFP partners. This new position by the MoD is only two weeks old, so much has yet to be known.
If the Viper upgrade was first thought because it would be much less expensive than buying the Lightning II, the position now has somewhat changed because it's the PoAF's opinion that lagging technologically behind our partners once again is now unacceptable and counterproductive. But, as I said, much is yet to be uncovered about this most recent change of heart, so to speak.