Airbus will supply 25 additional Halcon Eurofighter Typhoons to Spain: Getafe, Spain – In a significant move to modernize its air force and solidify its position within NATO, the Spanish government has finalized a contract for 25 additional Eurofighter aircraft. The agreement, signed with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) based in Munich, Germany, marks a substantial investment in the nation’s defense capabilities and reinforces European industrial cooperation.
The order, dubbed the Halcon II program, comprises 21 single-seat and four twin-seat Eurofighters of the latest generation. These advanced aircraft are slated to replace a portion of the Spanish Air and Space Force’s aging F-18 fleet. This acquisition follows a previous contract signed in 2022 for 20 Eurofighters, bringing Spain’s total order to 45 new jets and expanding its overall Eurofighter fleet to an impressive 115 aircraft.
Deliveries are expected to begin in 2030, promising a considerable boost to Spain’s air power capabilities and operational effectiveness. The acquisition also underscores Spain’s commitment to its role within NATO, enhancing its contribution to collective defense.
READ: Airbus Delivers First Standard 3 NH90 Helicopters to Spain, Ushering in Fleet Modernization
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the significance of the order, stating, “The Eurofighter is the most advanced and the most successful fighter jet from European production and is the backbone of European air superiority. It is also a symbol of industrial cooperation between nations and companies – an example of how Europe can work in our current defence context. We are grateful for the trust of the Spanish government in our Eurofighter and in Airbus Defence and Space. Not only is this order an important demand and defence signal, it secures the supply chain in Spain and across Europe.”
Eurofighter Typhoon.
Economic Impact of Spain-Airbus Deal
The economic impact of the program is considerable. All Spanish Eurofighters are assembled, tested, and delivered at the Airbus facility in Getafe, near Madrid.
This industrial presence translates to more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs within Spain, involving numerous national defense and technology companies in the manufacturing process. The acquisition, formally approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers in September 2023, encompasses the aircraft themselves, along with the necessary engines and comprehensive support services.
READ: Israel Joins the Race for Quantum Supremacy with First Domestically Built Computer
The Halcon Legacy: Modernizing Spain’s Air Force
The Halcon program represents a significant modernization effort for the Spanish Air and Space Force. The combined orders of 45 Eurofighters since 2022 represent a substantial upgrade, equipping the nation with cutting-edge technology. These aircraft boast advanced avionics, electronically scanning radar (E-Scan), enhanced weapon systems capable of deploying Brimstone III and Full Meteor missiles, new sensors, and improved connectivity. These advanced fighters will join the existing 70 Eurofighters already in service with the Spanish Air Force, starting from 2026.
Spain has operated the Eurofighter since 2003, deploying them from air bases at Morón (11th Wing), near Seville, and Los Llanos (14th Wing), in Albacete. Plans are also in place to establish Gando (46th Wing) on the Canary Islands as a future operating base.
Eurofighter Typhoon.
READ: India Will Procure 12 More Indigenous Sukhoi 30-MKI Jets from HAL
The Eurofighter program has a broader European impact, sustaining over 100,000 jobs across the continent. This employment figure is expected to be further bolstered by the production of these latest-generation aircraft and future technological advancements within the Eurofighter development program.
With this latest order, the Eurofighter continues to be a cornerstone of European air power. To date, more than 700 Eurofighters have been ordered by eight nations, solidifying its position as a leading multi-role combat aircraft.
READ: ISRO’s PSLV-C59 Successfully Launches ESA’s Proba-3 Mission
