Spain strengthens Eurofighter fleet

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The Spanish government has signed a contract with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) to purchase 25 Eurofighter aircraft. The Halcon II order partially replaces the Spanish Air Force’s F-18 fleet and increases the national air defense potential by increasing it to 115 aircraft.

Contract concluded with NETMA

The contract signed with the Munich-based NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) provides for the delivery of 21 single- and four two-seat Eurofighter aircraft. This order expands a series of 20 fighter jets already agreed in 2022, bringing the Spanish Eurofighter fleet to 115 aircraft in the future. The first delivery, planned for 2030, is intended to strengthen Spain’s air force and consolidate Spain’s role within NATO. The contract was approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers in September 2023.

Industry and jobs in Spain

All Eurofighters are manufactured, tested and delivered by Airbus in Getafe, securing over 16,000 jobs in Spain. Leading national defense and technology companies are involved in the manufacturing process. The robust industrial base that supports the Eurofighter program in Europe will be further strengthened by this new order, securing the value chain both in Spain and on the continent.

Technological advantages of the new aircraft

The Halcon program’s new jets, which will replace Spain’s F-18 fleet, feature state-of-the-art avionics, E-scan radar, improved weapons systems and new sensors. Equipped with Brimstone III and Full Meteor capabilities, they significantly improve the operational capability of the Spanish Air Force. The aircraft will complement the existing fleet from 2026 and will be stationed at Morón, Los Llanos and, in the future, also in Gando.

The geopolitical and economic context

This agreement underlines the importance of the Eurofighter as a symbol of European cooperation in the defense industry and secures over 100,000 jobs in Europe. The Eurofighter has been part of the Spanish air fleet since 2003 and is ordered by eight nations worldwide, with more than 700 jets ordered to date. This latest expansion of the fleet sends a strong signal for Spain’s defense strategy and the preservation of industrial capacity across the continent.

Airbus Defence and Space, europäischer Marktführer in der Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie, setzt auf bahnbrechende Technologien und Innovationen, um weltweit den Schutz und die Sicherheit zu gewährleisten. Mit seiner starken Präsenz in Spanien verfolgt das Unternehmen die Mission, durch internationale Kooperation Synergien im Verteidigungssektor zu schaffen.Airbus Defense and Space, European leader in the aerospace industry, relies on breakthrough technologies and innovations to ensure safety and security worldwide. With its strong presence in Spain, the company pursues the mission of creating synergies in the defense sector through international cooperation.