Rafale, Eurofighter deepen AED Cluster ties in Portugal F-16 replacement race

Dassault Aviation and Airbus Defence and Space have strengthened their relationships with Portuguese companies over a recent three-day period. These efforts are part of an initiative to bolster the Aeronautical Development Entity (ADE) cluster within Portugal. Specifically, Dassault Aviation engaged with several Portuguese firms while Airbus Defence and Space collaborated with local businesses as well. This activity is directly related to the ongoing competition for replacing Portugal’s existing F-16 fleet. The strategic partnerships aim to foster domestic capabilities crucial for the future development and production of advanced aircraft systems in Portugal.