The Portuguese Air Force has launched a second tender to replace its 70-year-old training aircraft, even though a Chipmunk replacement had already been announced this February.
The story on the replacement to the Chipmunk started back in September on 2024 when a 7.3 million euro budget was approved to replace the aircraft1. A month later, in October, a tender2 in which the Air Force aimed to procure 7 replacement aircraft.
In February 2025, in a Parliament hearing3, Portugal’s Defense Minister revealed that the Chipmunk would be replaced by 12 Cirrus trainers plus a flight simulator. Nuno Melo also added that the aircraft were American but were not directly purchased from the United States.
Since February however no more has been said regarding this program, till yesterday when the Air Force launched a second tender4 to replacement the Chipmunk. The tender maintains the budget of 7.3 million euros and seeks to procure a total of 7 planes. Interested parties have 30 days to place their bids, these proposals will then be valid for up to 120 days.
Sources:
1: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/11312-2024-888845030
2: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/anuncio-procedimento/20999-2024-890389159
3: https://canal.parlamento.pt/cid/8517/audicao-do-ministro-
4: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/anuncio-procedimento/21303-2025-928294575