Madrid, August 21 - Spain’s recent decision to cancel its planned acquisition of the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet marks a significant shift in its defense strategy, prompting the country to explore Türkiye’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter as a potential alternative. According to reports from Spanish media outlet El País, Spain has indefinitely suspended negotiations with Lockheed Martin, despite earlier budgetary allocations of €6.25 billion in 2023 for replacing its aging fleet of AV-8B Harrier II and C-15M Hornet aircraft. The decision reflects Spain’s strategic pivot toward European-made military systems, driven by a defense spending plan that mandates 85% of its €10.471 billion budget be allocated to European programs. This move aligns with Spain’s broader objective of achieving strategic autonomy, reducing dependence on non-European suppliers, and supporting regional defense industries. Concerns over the F-35’s high costs, restricted access to critical systems, and unilateral price increases further contributed to the cancellation, pushing Spain to consider alternatives like Türkiye’s KAAN, which is being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a stealth, multi-role fighter to replace Türkiye’s F-16 fleet by the 2030s.
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The KAAN, previously known as the TF-X, represents an ambitious project for Türkiye, designed to establish the nation as a global aerospace power with a fifth-generation fighter boasting advanced avionics, stealth capabilities, and network-centric warfare features. The aircraft, which completed its maiden flight in February 2024, is equipped with radar-evading technology, internal weapons bays, and plans for indigenous engines and sensors, positioning it as a competitive alternative to Western platforms like the F-35. Spain’s interest in the KAAN stems from its potential to meet the needs of both the Spanish Air Force and Navy, particularly through the development of a naval variant for carrier operations. Such a variant would require significant modifications, including reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and arrestor hook integration, which could be achieved through collaboration between TAI and Spanish aerospace firms like Indra and Airbus España. Existing cooperation between Spain and Türkiye on the Hurjet trainer aircraft program provides a foundation for such a partnership, offering Spain the opportunity to influence KAAN’s design and secure technology transfers that enhance its domestic defense industry.
Spain’s consideration of the KAAN also reflects broader strategic and geopolitical dynamics within NATO and Europe. By moving away from the F-35, Spain distances itself from the U.S.-centric joint strike fighter ecosystem adopted by allies like the United Kingdom, Italy, and Norway, signaling a preference for greater European defense integration. The KAAN offers Spain a chance to diversify its air force, complementing its Eurofighter fleet while addressing the Navy’s need for a future carrier-based fighter. However, partnering with Türkiye, a NATO ally with an increasingly independent foreign policy, introduces complexities. While collaboration could yield economic and technological benefits for Spanish firms through joint development in areas like composite structures and avionics, it also ties Spain’s defense future to a nation whose strategic priorities sometimes diverge from those of Brussels and Washington. Additionally, uncertainties surrounding the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint Franco-German-Spanish sixth-generation fighter program facing delays and political tensions, further underscore the KAAN’s appeal as a viable interim solution.
The potential adoption of the KAAN could reshape European fighter jet dynamics and bolster Türkiye’s position in the global arms market. For Spain, the decision represents a pragmatic approach to balancing operational needs with industrial and strategic goals. By leveraging its 14% industrial share in the Eurofighter consortium and exploring partnerships with Türkiye, Spain aims to maintain cutting-edge air combat capabilities while fostering domestic industry growth. The KAAN’s projected cost of around $100 million per unit and its export potential to countries like Indonesia, Egypt, and Pakistan enhance its attractiveness as a cost-effective alternative to the F-35. As Türkiye advances the KAAN toward full production by 2028, with plans for 20 jets delivered to the Turkish Air Force by that year, Spain’s involvement could elevate the program’s credibility, transforming it into a multinational effort. This strategic pivot not only addresses Spain’s immediate defense needs but also positions it as a key player in redefining Europe’s aerospace landscape, prioritizing autonomy and collaboration over reliance on U.S. systems.
