Spain is extending the life of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter program by signing a complementary contract to acquire 25 more fighter jets from NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency).
Known as the Halcon II program, the new contract includes the production of 21 single-seat Typhoons and four two-seat fighters, which will be delivered from 2030.
The aircraft will replace part of the Spanish Air Force’s F-18 fighter fleet. In total, the country will have a fleet of 115 supersonic jets.
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The Air Force had already signed a first contract in 2022 that included a batch of 20 aircraft. The country currently operates 68 Eurofighter Typhoons.
“The Eurofighter is the most advanced and the most successful fighter jet from European production and is the backbone of European air superiority. Not only is this order an important demand and defence signal, it secures the supply chain in Spain and across Europe,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
More than 700 Eurofighters on order
The Spanish Typhoons are assembled and tested by Airbus’ Getafe division in Madrid. The acquisition of the 25 jets had already been approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers in September 2023.
The new Eurofighters will be equipped with advanced avionics, electronically scanned array radar (E-Scan), improved weapons systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Full Meteor, new sensors and improved connectivity.
The first batch of fighters will be delivered from 2026. The Spanish Air Force currently operates Eurofighters from Morón (11th Wing) air bases near Seville and Los Llanos (14th Wing) in Albacete. Gando (46th Wing) in the Canary Islands will soon become the next operational base.
According to Airbus, which is a partner in the program, more than 700 Eurofighters have been ordered by eight nations.
The company, together with Dassault and other partners, is developing a 6th generation fighter for Germany, France and Spain that is expected to enter service in the next decade.
