The Spanish government has made the decision to procure an additional batch of 25 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft through the Halcon II programme.
With a dedicated budget spanning from 2023 to 2035, amounting to EUR 4.5 billion, Spain is poised to acquire a further 25 Eurofighter aircraft, along with two simulators and a comprehensive technical support package. The finalization of the contract for this endeavour is expected to take place next year.
At present, the Spanish Air Force operates two types of combat aircraft: the Boeing EF-18 Hornet and the Eurofighter EF-2000, with the Spanish variants being produced at the Airbus assembly line in Getafe.
Currently, there are 83 Hornets in service, but their operational lifespan is limited to the end of this decade due to structural constraints. To address this concern, Spain has already placed an order for 20 new Eurofighters, scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2030 as part of the Halcon I program.
While the acquisition of an additional 25 Eurofighters through the Halcon II program is a significant step forward, it does not entirely bridge the capability gap left by the successors of the EF-18 Hornets, estimated to be around 38 aircraft. Consequently, the Spanish government is actively exploring further options for acquiring combat aircraft, although the specific type of aircraft remains uncertain.
The Spanish Air Force maintains an operational fleet of 68 Eurofighter fighters, produced in various batches with differing standards. Notably, efforts are underway to modernize 17 aircraft from the earliest Tranche 1 version in order to enhance their capabilities.
