This latest batch of 25 Eurofighters will include 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft, set to replace part of the ageing F-18 fleet. The budget also covers an initial logistics package, ML2 maintenance level, and two high-fidelity simulation systems, complete with supporting infrastructure. The contract, currently being finalised, will be presented to the Council of Ministers for final approval.
Deliveries for the Halcon II programme are expected to begin in 2030, reinforcing Spain’s airpower capabilities and strengthening its standing in NATO operations. Alongside the Halcon I programme, which begins deliveries in 2026, the total of 45 Eurofighters ordered since 2022 represents a major upgrade to Spain’s fleet.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, commented on the significance of the agreement: “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.”
The Eurofighters will feature advanced avionics, electronically scanning radar (E-Scan), and cutting-edge weapon systems capable of deploying Brimstone III and Full Meteor missiles. Although specific configuration details remain undisclosed, these enhancements will bring Spain’s defence capabilities to the forefront of European military technology.
Spain’s Airbus Getafe site, near Madrid, will assemble, test, and deliver the aircraft, supporting more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country. The programme also secures significant employment across Europe, with the Eurofighter initiative sustaining over 100,000 jobs continent-wide.
Spain has operated Eurofighters since 2003, with current bases at Morón near Seville and Los Llanos in Albacete. The Gando base in the Canary Islands, set to receive the Halcon I batch, will soon become an operational hub for the aircraft.
The government’s approval of this funding underscores Spain’s commitment to modernising its military and contributing to NATO’s collective defence efforts. With more than 700 Eurofighters ordered by eight nations, the programme highlights Europe’s collaborative approach to strengthening defence and advancing aerospace technology.
