The leaders of Eurofighter and NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) have signed a contract for 25 additional Eurofighter jets for the Spanish Air Force.
Known as Halcon II, the new Spanish order is the latest contract signing as the Eurofighter programme gears-up for more in the coming months.
The Spanish announcement, alongside forthcoming Italian and German orders, as well as the anticipated export opportunities, mean Eurofighter’s additional order book is set to grow to between 100 – 200 aircraft in the next decade.
The Halcon II order continues the modernisation of the Spanish Air Force’s Eurofighter fleet and follows the first Halcon order (for 20 fighters), made at ILA in Berlin in June 2022.
Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Chief Executive of Eurofighter, said: “The Spanish order for 25 additional Eurofighter jets is another proud chapter in the programme’s ‘renaissance’ period, which is set to continue into the mid 2030’s.
“The order shows the depth of commitment by Spain, one of the four core Eurofighter Nations, to our programme. We are very proud that Eurofighter continues to be Europe’s biggest defence programme and one of the continent’s most successful defence collaborations.
“In addition to the operational security benefits of the Eurofighter, the new Spanish order will also bring significant economic benefits to our core nations and the economies of Europe, and, with a service life extending beyond 2060, Eurofighter’s advanced capabilities will ensure seamless integration into Europe’s future air combat systems.”
The Halcon II agreement will see 25 new Eurofighter jets (21 single-seat and four twin-seat) delivered to the Spanish Air Force between 2030 and 2035, securing industrial activity until at least 2035.
The Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets will replace part of the legacy F-18 fleet, based in Torrejon and Zaragoza, and bring the total number of Typhoon aircraft in the Spanish Air Force to 115.
AVM Simon Ellard (ret.), General Manager, NETMA said: “Halcon II is a significant achievement which underscores Spain’s strong commitment to the Eurofighter Programme.
“The additional 25 aircraft will not only enhance Spain’s defence capabilities but also drive significant economic and industrial benefits for Spain, the Core Nations and the rest of Europe.
“Eurofighter is the backbone of European air defence. Halcon II, alongside upcoming orders from Germany and Italy, demonstrates the positive future of the Programme and ensures its long-term success for decades to come.”
The new Spanish Eurofighters will be equipped with advanced avionics, electronically scanning radar (E-Scan), enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor, new sensors and improved connectivity.
The Eurofighter programme supports over 100,000 jobs across 400 companies in Europe. As Europe’s largest defence programme, Eurofighter continues to demonstrate its critical role in maintaining European security and sustaining the continent’s defence industrial base.
A report by PwC, from earlier this year, reviewed the entire spectrum of development, production, and support activities – encompassing the four Eurofighter Core Nations.
The “growth scenario” in that report – which factors in domestic and export opportunities – showed the impressive breadth of the benefits to Europe’s economies.
According to the PwC report, the Eurofighter programme will deliver to Europe in the next decade: €90 billion contribution to GDP; tax revenues of €22 billion; and over 98,000 jobs created each year.
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