Spain approves multibillion-euro aircraft procurement plan

A full-scale mock-up of the TAI Hürjet in Spanish markings was presented at FEINDEF 2025 in Madrid. Spain is to acquire up to 45 such aircraft as part of a wider modernisation programme, the financing for which has been approved. (Janes/Tristan Sauer)

The Spanish government has approved a five-year funding plan geared at modernising the military's fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft fleets.

A royal decree outlining EUR3.68 billion (USD4.33 billion) in awards to be granted to Airbus as the lead contractor across six major projects from 2025 to 2030 was posted in the official state gazette on 24 September 2025.

“This royal decree establishes the rules for the direct granting of [contracts] to Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Helicopters Spain for the industrial development of six special modernisation programmes in the aerospace and defence sector,” the decree said. It added, “The measure responds to Spain's Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence (2025), aiming to modernise the armed forces, strengthen industrial and technological sovereignty, [and] generate employment and innovation.”

According to the documentation, Airbus Defence and Space is to receive EUR1.04 billion for the Integrated Advanced Flight Training System (ITS-C) programme to acquire the Turkish Aerospace (TA) Hürjet advanced jet trainer aircraft, and EUR520 million for the Air Mobility Training Technologies (ITS-T) programme related to the C295 tactical transport aircraft. Airbus Helicopters Spain is to receive EUR1 billion for Phase 3 of the NHIndustries NH90 Air Mobility programme, EUR100 million for Phase 2 of the H135 Training and Support Helicopter programme, EUR920 million for the Multi-purpose Light Helicopter for Training (HELIPO) programme, and EUR100 million for the Multi-purpose Helicopter (HACES) programme to buy the H175.