“We know that our F-16s are 30 years old, we know that their replacement, if there were any decision, would take ten years to arrive. This means that the F-16s would have to fly for more than 40 years”, according to the military chief, in statements to Lusa and TVI/CNN.

For Cartaxo Alves, the Air Force “has a great responsibility, which is to guarantee the sovereignty and integrity of the national airspace”, but, to fulfil this mission, the country needs to decide what means it needs to operate.

“The aircraft are normally designed for 30 to 35 years, depending on the efforts they make throughout their lives, which dictate their continuity in operation”, according to the general.