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Storm Kristin is causing numerous incidents as it passes through the Iberian Peninsula, with snowfall, strong winds and torrential rain.
This storm has already left six dead in Portugal. In this country, there have been road and rail line closures and houses destroyed as a result of this storm. Today the President of the Republic declared a state of calamity, which allows for restrictions on movement in specific areas to protect the population in exceptional situations. It is the equivalent of a state of emergency in Spain. This situation will extend until February 1 in 60 Portuguese municipalities.
One of the places that has suffered the effects of this storm is the Monte Real Air Base in Leiria, located on the country's west coast, 105 km north of Lisbon. This base is home to two F-16 fighter units of the Portuguese Air Force: Squadron 201 "Falcões" and Squadron 301 "Jaguares". Late Wednesday, the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã published these photos showing two F-16s damaged by falling debris in the maintenance hangar located next to the base's apron. The damage appears to have been caused by the collapse of some metal panels from the roof and also part of the hangar's doors. Correio da Manhã reported that other buildings on the base were also damaged.
In this second photo, we see several hangar door panels that have fallen onto the cockpit and nose of an F-16BM Block 20 MLU, serial number 15118 (cn AB-01), a two-seater aircraft assigned to Squadron 201 "Falcões". The image shows that the engine had been removed from this aircraft. To the right, we see more door panels that have fallen onto the tail fin of an F-16AM Block 20 MLU, serial number 15108 (cn AA-8), which appears tilted backward due to the impact. Although initially there had been talk of two fighters, early this afternoon Correio da Manhã has indicated that there are four Damaged F-16, with damage amounting to millions of euros. This medium adds:
The damage caused by Tropical Storm Kristin occurred when strong winds ripped off the large hangar doors, which fell on two air supremacy and air defense aircraft. A third was pushed by the wind toward the nose of the fourth F-16. The CM knows that the remaining aircraft were sheltered in so-called "shelters."
Correio da Manhã reported that at 5:00 AM Lisbon time (6:00 AM CET), wind gusts reached up to 178 km/h at this base. The Portuguese newspaper notes that Storm Kristin was involved. Correio da Manhã reported that an official statement from the Portuguese Air Force acknowledged "significant damage, with no injuries, limited to considerable material damage." This statement added: "The Air Force is acting immediately to restore normal operations at the unit, prioritizing the safety of military personnel and civilian workers serving there."
Portugal purchased 20 F-16A/B Block 15s from the United States in 1990 as part of the Peace Atlantis I program. Deliveries of these aircraft began in 1993. In 1996, a second batch of 25 F-16 Block 15s from the United States Air National Guard was approved as part of the Peace Atlantis II program. Deliveries took place between 1998 and 1999. In 2005, the Portuguese Air Force began upgrading its fleet to the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU version.
Starting in 2012, Portugal sold 17 of its F-16s to Romania. Currently, the Portuguese Air Force has 32 F-16 Block 20 MLUs: 24 single-seat F-16AMs and 4 two-seat F-16BMs. The country is now looking for more modern fighters to replace these aircraft. Portugal initially planned to acquire the F-35, but in March 2025 changed its mind due to Trump's shift in foreign policy. Finally, in November it was revealed that Portugal will choose between the F-35, the Rafael, the Eurofighter and the Gripen in a competition that will prioritize technology transfer and industrial returns.
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Main photo: Força Aérea Portuguesa.
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