Spain confirms order for 25 Eurofighter aircraft
In boost to the NATO nation
The Spanish government has signed a landmark deal with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) to acquire 25 additional Eurofighter (Halcon II) aircraft. The significant order, part of the Halcon II programme, will see Spain receive 21 single-seat and four twin-seat Eurofighters, replacing part of the ageing F-18 fleet operated by the Spanish Air and Space Force.
The contract, signed on December 20, 2024, builds on a previous agreement signed in 2022, which secured 20 Eurofighter jets for Spain. With this new order, the Spanish Eurofighter fleet will grow to a formidable 115 aircraft by the time of the first delivery in 2030.
These new aircraft are set to significantly enhance Spain’s airpower capabilities, strengthening its strategic position within NATO and ensuring that the country plays a prominent role in European defence. Moreover, the deal solidifies the programme’s industrial footprint across Europe, particularly in Spain, where the aircraft are assembled and tested.
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Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, expressed his gratitude for Spain’s trust in the Eurofighter programme. He noted that the Eurofighter aircraft is “the most advanced and the most successful fighter jet from European production” and a symbol of European defence cooperation.
He also highlighted that the order secures Spain’s supply chain and demonstrates how European nations and companies can work together in these challenging times.
Spain’s Eurofighters are assembled at the Airbus Getafe site near Madrid. The programme has directly and indirectly created over 16,000 jobs in Spain. Production involves several leading national defence and technological companies, contributing to Spain’s industrial strength.
Spain’s Council approved the acquisition of Ministers in September 2023, including the aircraft, engines, and the essential support services required to maintain them. The agreement also strengthens the Halcon programme, a major initiative to upgrade Spain’s air power capabilities by replacing the F-18 fleet with the highly advanced Eurofighter.
Spain has ordered 45 Eurofighters (20 in 2022 and 25 in this latest deal), all equipped with the latest avionics, electronically scanning radar (E-Scan), enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Full Meteor missiles, new sensors, and improved connectivity.
These improvements will ensure that Spain’s air force remains one of the most capable in Europe. From 2026 onwards, the new Eurofighters will join Spain’s fleet of 70 Eurofighters. The aircraft will be stationed at air bases across Spain, including Morón near Seville (home to the 11th Wing), Los Llanos in Albacete (14th Wing), and Gando on the Canary Islands, where the 46th Wing will soon begin operating the aircraft.
The Eurofighter programme is one of Europe’s most successful defence projects. Eight nations have ordered more than 700 aircraft. The programme provides over 100,000 jobs across the continent and will grow as new generations of advanced aircraft are developed. With the Halcon II order, Spain is upgrading its defence capabilities and contributing to the future of European air superiority.
Hero image: Spanish and Airbus officials pose for a group photo on December 20, 2024, at the signing ceremony for the 25 Eurofighter Halcon II aircraft. Credit: Airbus Defence and Space
