Spain Signs Deal for 25 Eurofighter Aircraft in Halcon II Programme

The Spanish government has finalized a contract with the Munich-based NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) to acquire 25 Eurofighter aircraft, under the Halcon II programme. This latest order will include 21 single-seat and 4 twin-seat Eurofighters, which will replace part of Spain’s current fleet of F-18 aircraft, operated by the Spanish Air and Space Force.

This acquisition builds on a previous agreement signed in 2022 for the purchase of 20 Eurofighters, bringing the total number of Eurofighters in Spain’s fleet to 115. With the first aircraft expected to be delivered in 2030, the new fleet will significantly enhance Spain’s air-power capabilities, solidify its role at the center of NATO’s defense strategy, and strengthen the program’s industrial footprint within Spain and across Europe.

Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, commented, “The Eurofighter is the most advanced and successful fighter jet produced in Europe. It is not only a cornerstone of European air superiority but also a symbol of industrial cooperation among nations and companies. We are grateful for the trust Spain has placed in the Eurofighter and Airbus Defence and Space. This order not only sends a strong defense message but also secures jobs and manufacturing activity in Spain and throughout Europe.”

The entire Spanish fleet of Eurofighters will be assembled, tested, and delivered at Airbus’ Getafe site near Madrid, where over 16,000 direct and indirect jobs are linked to the Eurofighter program. Major Spanish defense and technology companies are actively involved in the production process, further embedding the aircraft’s industrial importance in the national economy.

The Halcon II programme represents a major upgrade to Spain’s air force capabilities, with a total of 45 Eurofighters ordered since 2022. These next-generation jets will feature state-of-the-art avionics, electronically-scanning radar (E-Scan), advanced weapon systems capable of operating the Brimstone III and Meteor missiles, as well as enhanced sensors and improved connectivity. The upgraded aircraft will join the Spanish Air Force’s existing fleet of 70 Eurofighters starting in 2026.

Spain has operated the Eurofighter since 2003, with its fleet stationed at several airbases, including Morón (11th Wing) near Seville, and Los Llanos (14th Wing) and Gando (46th Wing) in the Canary Islands. These bases will continue to be integral to the operational readiness of the fleet, with Gando set to become the next operational base for the new aircraft.

The Eurofighter program, which now involves eight nations and over 700 aircraft orders, supports more than 100,000 jobs across Europe. With the ongoing development of the latest-generation Eurofighters, the program is set to provide significant employment opportunities in both aerospace manufacturing and cutting-edge defense technologies for years to come.