Russia has bases in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian ships and submarines have passed along the Portuguese coast, only leaving with the intervention of our navy and even before this war, it was customary for Russian jets to violate the airspace of a random European country at least once a month, only leaving under the escort of the air forces to test their response time. We are not that protected from Russia as the geographical distance might erroneously lead us to believe.

In short, jets are needed for at least surveillance, deterrence and joint missions with our allies.

P.S.: I hope it doesn’t happen, but Trump has already threatened to violate the territorial integrity of Canada and Denmark. Who can guarantee that he won’t do the same to Portugal? The Azores archipelago, halfway between the US and Europe, is quite important strategically. He might consider claiming our islands.