US arms sales in a pickle after halt in Ukraine weapons aid
2 Min Read
The European Commission has proposed buying armaments collectively from EU member states in response to uncertainties surrounding the US' evolving military intentions.
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Packages of ammunition, weapons, and other equipment bound for Ukraine being loaded on a plane at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on January 30, 2022. (AP)
US weapons sales have suffered a further setback as Portugal has ruled out acquiring fighter planes from Washington, while other European nations have questioned the US' credibility after President Donald Trump halted military aid to Ukraine, several sources told Newsweek.
In an interview for the Portuguese newspaper Publico on March 13, Portugal's Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, stated that his country would not be purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States to replace their older F-16s and would instead look to Europe for alternatives due to Washington's erratic policies.
When asked whether the Portuguese government would continue purchasing fighter jets from the US, Melo expressed that with the jets near the end of their cycle, Portugal will need to "think about their replacement" but added that the "geopolitical environment" must be taken into account.
"The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO and in the international geostrategic plan, must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account," he revealed.
As Portugal moves away from procuring F-35 fighter jets from the US, other European nations, including Poland, are also beginning to question America’s dependability as a defense partner.
The United Kingdom is reportedly anxious about the US commitment to defend Trident, the country's aging submarine-launched nuclear missile system, according to The Guardian.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed buying armaments collectively from EU member states in response to uncertainties surrounding the US' evolving military intentions, according to the Financial Times.
According to research published on March 10 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the majority of US arms exports, 35%, went to Europe between 2020 and 2024.
A veteran US foreign service officer, Bob Holley, commented on X: "No freedom-loving country anywhere on the planet that cares for its own self-defense should be buying US equipment now. Unreliable suppliers and, in important cases, unreliable equipment. There are good alternatives available in Europe. Protect yourselves!"
It remains unknown if European nations will reject or terminate defense contracts with the US.
