Madrid, October 30 - In a landmark move for European defense collaboration, the Spanish government has greenlit a €3.12 billion procurement deal to acquire 45 advanced Hurjet trainer aircraft from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), signaling a bold step in modernizing its aging air force fleet. This Spanish-Hurjet acquisition, announced on October 29, 2025, replaces the venerable Northrop F-5M trainers that have served for decades, injecting supersonic capabilities into pilot training programs. The contract, spanning until November 30, 2035, underscores Madrid's commitment to NATO-aligned innovation while fostering deeper ties with Ankara's burgeoning aerospace sector. As global tensions rise, this investment in Turkish-built Hurjet jets positions Spain at the forefront of next-generation aviation training, blending affordability with cutting-edge technology.
The Hurjet platform, a single-engine, tandem-seat supersonic jet, emerges as the star of this Turkish-Spanish defense pact, boasting a top speed exceeding Mach 1 and versatility for both advanced flight instruction and light combat roles. Developed by TAI since 2017, the aircraft has logged over 210 test flights by 2025, proving its mettle in high-performance maneuvers and integrated mission simulations. Under the agreement, initial units will roll off production lines in Turkey before undergoing customization at Airbus Defense and Space facilities in Spain, incorporating local avionics, weapon systems, and training simulators tailored to the Spanish Air and Space Force's needs. This hybrid manufacturing approach not only ensures seamless integration into bases like Talavera la Real but also creates hundreds of high-skilled jobs in Spain's defense industry, amplifying the economic ripple effects of the Hurjet deal.
This procurement forms the cornerstone of Spain's broader Integrated Training System Program (ITS-C), a multifaceted initiative designed to overhaul pilot development for fighter and attack aircraft operations. By phasing out the F-5Ms, which date back to the Cold War era, the Hurjet fleet will deliver enhanced realism in simulated combat scenarios, complete with life-cycle support, instructor training, and ground-based analytics. Deliveries kick off in 2028 with familiarization batches, ramping up to full operational capability by 2031, ensuring a 30-year service life that aligns with Spain's strategic defense roadmap. Experts hail the move as a pragmatic pivot from costlier Western alternatives like Italy's M-346, with the Hurjet's unit price hovering around €20 million—30% lower—making it a savvy choice for budget-conscious NATO members.
Beyond bilateral gains, the Spain-Turkey Hurjet partnership reverberates across the Atlantic alliance, bolstering collective readiness against evolving aerial threats while elevating TAI's profile as a global exporter. As the first major European buyer, Spain paves the way for potential follow-on orders from allies, potentially reshaping the market for advanced jet trainers. This deal not only fortifies Madrid's skies but also exemplifies how cross-continental cooperation can drive innovation, with Airbus's role ensuring technological sovereignty. In an era of fiscal scrutiny and geopolitical flux, Spain's €3.12 billion wager on the Hurjet promises a more agile, interoperable force, ready to soar into the future.
