Dassault tilbyr Rafale til Canada og Portugal - DefenseMirror

                                      

23 March, 2025Rafale fighter jet. Photo credits: Dassault Aviation

Dassault Ready to Offer Rafale Fighters to Canada and Portugal as F-35 Alternatives

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French defense company Dassault Aviation is prepared to offer its Rafale fighter jets to countries that have suspended their consideration of F-35A purchases, particularly Portugal and Canada.

This was stated by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.

He emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to provide its aircraft to countries that have opted against purchasing the F-35.

Trappier mentioned that although Portugal has not yet approached France regarding a possible purchase of Rafale fighters, the company anticipates that such a request may be made in the coming weeks or months.

Croatian Air Force Rafale fighter jet in March 2025 Photo credits: Facebook/Hrvatski Vojnik

“But we want to offer our aircraft to Portugal. It is a country of the European Union and NATO. It will have the same interoperability capabilities as we do within the Alliance, so it seems logical,” he said.

Earlier, on March 16, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed substituting products from the American defense sector with European alternatives.

“Those who buy Patriot systems should be offered the Franco-Italian new-generation SAMP/T air defense system. Those who buy the F-35 should be offered the Rafale,” he said.

Canada Reconsiders F-35 Purchases

Militarnyi reported on March 15 that Canada is reviewing the purchase of the F-35 amid tensions in relations with the United States, despite having already made payments for the first 16 aircraft.

This announcement was made by Canada’s newly appointed Defense Minister Bill Blair, just hours after his appointment in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet.

Lockheed Martin F-35 with CF-35 markings and the Canadian flag at the CANSEC exhibition in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Photo credits: Justin Tang

Blair stated that Canada is actively considering alternatives to the American F-35 and plans to engage in discussions with other aircraft manufacturers.

He suggested that the first F-35s could be accepted, but the remainder might be replaced by European-made aircraft, such as the Swedish Saab Gripen, which was the runner-up in the competition.

Portugal’s Decision to Avoid F-35

On March 14, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo confirmed that the country would no longer pursue the purchase of F-35 fighters due to the unpredictability of U.S. policies and the current geopolitical situation.

Melo emphasized that, despite the aging fleet of F-16 fighters in the Portuguese Air Force, it is crucial to explore alternatives that ensure greater operational predictability and security.

As an alternative to the F-35, Portugal is considering European-made combat aircraft.