Lockheed Martin has entered into a cooperation agreement with AED Cluster Portugal to assess how Portuguese companies can integrate into the global supply chain of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The move comes despite Portugal’s current decision not to buy the jet.
The agreement allows AED, which represents a wide network of high-tech and dual-use industries, to connect qualified domestic firms with opportunities in component manufacturing, avionics, training simulators, and long-term maintenance.
While no aircraft deal is on the table yet, the partnership builds Portugal’s industrial readiness and aligns with NATO goals of increasing local defense manufacturing across member states.
