this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2025
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The Portuguese Air Force is no longer expected to acquire the 5th generation F-35 fighter from Lockheed Martin, all due to the review of the US position towards NATO.

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

Why the hell does a sovereign country need an air force ? Really ? (Hint : to stay sovereign, for starter)

[–] [email protected] -4 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

To stay sovereign from who? Who's coming for Portugal?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Doesn't matter. Every sovereign country has the right to enforce their rules in their airspace (in accordance with international law) at the very least

[–] [email protected] -3 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

Okay, but every People have a right to demand their government spend money on social programs and not military boondoggles. Ultimately, what do the Portuguese want? Do they want more jets?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Of course. But they don't have to go full MIC and could still keep a small fleet of jets that will be good for a few decades but at some point they've gotta modernize.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

They could also not have a fleet of jets and they'd be fine.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

We already have good social programs, but honestly they have been declining in quality over the last decade and a half. We still are much better than countries like America in this aspect. We have a number of defense companies, including a drone company, that could grow significantly with the expected European defense investments, which will generate jobs and more tax revenue to, if we are smart, improve our social welfare system.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Give it time, and the US will. Or Russia. The two worst offenders in the "Colonial and imperialist empires". Both of which are hard up on the sabre rattling at this time.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

Portugal could never buy enough jets to stop the US. They need nukes. Not a ton! Just a few is enough to scare away other powers.

As for Russia, they're literally the farthest country in Europe from them! Getting to Portugal would mean Europe has collapsed and can't stop Russia, and once again, the only defense here would be nukes.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

Portugal could never buy enough jets to stop the US

No, but Spain is right next to it and France isn't that far. Both likely to help. But why would they help Portugal if Portugal itself doesn't take meaningful steps to protect itself? You use a lot of exclamation points in your comments! That doesn't magically mean you're right.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago

So, in solidarity, with the rest of Europe, all arms equally, to defend.

United we stand, divided we fall.