Latest news and stories about air force in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese Air Force is evaluating two potential fighter aircraft models to update its fleet.
The Portuguese Air Force wants to replace its ageing F-16 fleet and renew its contract with the American company Lockheed Martin. The issue is the price for a country like Portugal, with each F-35 costing between 75 and 105 million euros. However, there are other proposals on the table.
An analysis comparing the capabilities of the F-35 and Gripen E fighter jets as Portugal considers its options for future air force procurement.
The Portuguese Air Force does not explain how missions are being carried out or if assets were moved from the Azores or Madeira. F-16 fighter jets are flying over land due to a lack of maritime rescue coverage.
Just days since Portuguese journalists were flown to Texas to hear why the Air Force should be renewing its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets, with F-35s from the United The post Two €100 million stealth jets grounded at Lajes appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has warned of the possibility of sonic booms this afternoon due to F-16M aircraft breaking the sound barrier during maintenance missions along the coast of the Coimbra and Leiria districts.
F-16s will break the sound barrier between 16:00 and 17:30. The Air Force warns of the possibility of sonic booms being heard in Leiria, Marinha Grande, Figueira da Foz, Cantanhede, and Mira.
The sonic effects are expected to be felt this Wednesday, between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM. The noise may also be heard in parishes of Leiria, Marinha Grande, Figueira da Foz, Cantanhede, and Mira.
Home News Portuguese Air Force may break the sound barrier during tests Portuguese Air Force may break the sound barrier during tests The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has warned of the possibility of sound effects on 13 May, due to F-16M fighter jets breaking the sound barrier during a maintenance
The Portuguese Air Force marked the launch of another satellite into space last Sunday at 8:00 AM Lisbon time. The integration of the satellite into the Atlantic Constellation was successful, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The launch marks...
Speaking on a “happy day”, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Sérgio Pereira, indicates that “the Air Force, with this second satellite, increases its capacity in space at the service of Portugal”.
On the runway of the small airport in Linköping, Sweden, the constant and loud sound of the Gripen fighter jet's engine is hard to ignore. Nearby, a ground crew member, wearing a fluorescent vest and protective headphones, waits patiently. Near hangar B, another ground crew positions itself next to a fuel station waiting...
The institution explains that the intensity of the sound heard may have been influenced by external factors.
The boom heard on the central coast on Monday morning was caused by F-16M fighter jets on an operational mission, the Air Force confirmed. The noise resulted from breaking the sound barrier off the coast of Figueira da Foz. There were no casualties or damage, despite the impact being felt in several locations.
Authorities guarantee that the situation did not pose any danger to the population
The institution explains that the intensity of the sound heard may have been influenced by external factors.
Santana Lopes requested explanations and said he heard a “very strange” bang, as did people in several municipalities. An Air Force F-16 exercise involved breaking the sound barrier.
The Portuguese Air Force intercepted a Russian Federation aircraft in the Baltic states. Portuguese F-16 fighter jets and military personnel from this branch of the Armed Forces have been reinforcing the region's air defence since the beginning of April as part of a NATO mission. The Portuguese F-16M jets, deployed in Estonia, carried out the operation last Monday, April 6.
The Portuguese Air Force's firing range facility is set to be relocated to the municipality of Alter do Chão.
It is also providing debris-removal support and has doubled its high‑readiness air assets.
The Air Force emphasises that it supported INEM for four months with the air transport of patients, “ensuring the continuity of that essential service for the country”.
In 2025 the Air Force performed 5% more rescues and salvage operations.
The Air Force announced today that it directly supported 931 people last year through air medical transports, rescues and search-and-rescue missions, saying the figure represents a 5% increase compared with 2024.
The institution directly supported 931 people last year.
The Air Force says the message is “dedicated to all children, so that they keep alive the spirit and magic of this season.”
F-16 fighter jets from the Portuguese Air Force will carry out flyovers in selected areas as a gesture to wish residents a Merry Christmas.
