AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, Portugal expects to earn 290 million euros ($373 million) by 2011 from the sale of 12 used F-16 fighter jets, 28 helicopters and two frigates, Defense Minister Luis Amado said June 1.
The bulk of the money, 180 million euros, will come from the sale of the fighter jets, he told a news conference following a weekly cabinet meeting where the sale of the surplus equipment was approved.
Uruguay has shown interest in the two warships while Romania has expressed interest in 10 Puma helicopters, the minister said. The remaining 18 helicopters up for sale are Alouette III.
It is the first time since Portugal has approved the sale of used military equipment since the country returned to democracy in 1974.
Money raised from the sale of the surplus equipment will go towards modernizing Portugal
