Spain signs $2.15 billion deal to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets

Europe, News June 28, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

European aerospace manufacturing giant Airbus announced that Spain would purchase 20 of its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in a $2.15 billion worth landmark deal.

The agreement was signed between the Spanish Air Force and NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA).

The contract would allow the acquisition of 20 latest generation Eurofighter Typhoon jets under Spain’s Halcon program. The order will cover the delivery of a fleet of E-Scan (Electronically Scanned) radar-equipped fighter aircraft consisting of 16 single-seater and 4 twin-seater fighter jets, to replace the F-18 fleet operated by the Spanish Air Force on the Canary Islands.

The delivery of the new fleet of fighter jets is due in 2026. Spanish Air Force already owns a large number of Eurofighter jets. The current contract would increase the number of the Eurofighter fleet to 90 fighter jets. The new fleet of 20 new aircraft will enhance the Spanish Air Force’s capability among its NATO allies with the most modern fighter jet developed in Europe, as well as securing industrial activity and creating new jobs through to 2030.

Spain’s Council of Ministers approved the acquisition budget of $2.15 billion for the new fighter jets in December 2021. Spanish Air Force has been operating the Eurofighter jets since 2003 from its air bases in Morón and Albacete. Spain used the Eurofighter to carry out surveillance operations and air policing missions in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. The current fleet of 20 Eurofighter jets would be deployed at the Gando Air Base in the Canary Islands.

The CEO of Airbus Defense and Space Mike Schoellhorn stated that “This additional order reinforces Spain’s commitment not only towards the Eurofighter but also to its development and industrial environment. I would like to thank the customer for its firm position with respect to European defense at a time when it is needed most.”

^{Spain orders 20 Eurofighter jets. (Image Credit: Airbus)}

Spanish Air Forces have requested several modifications in the software package for its fleet of newly ordered jets. This would offer a major tactical advantage by increasing the aircraft’s capacity for carrying out automatic targeting and air-to-surface target identification. The Spanish Eurofighter jets would be assembled, tested and delivered at the Airbus Industrial site in Getafe, Spain. The current order of 20 Typhoon jets is expected to generate at least 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in Spain.

Eurofighter is Europe’s largest defence programme, involving the four core nations of the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and Italy. In addition to its technological capabilities, it secures more than 100,000 jobs in Europe. To date, the Eurofighter programme has logged 681 aircraft orders to 9 nations around the globe, including the non-European states of Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.