The Spanish government has officially launched the acquisition of 25 additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
Madrid has allocated 4.5 billion euros ($4.8 billion) for the acquisition, including simulators, maintenance, and logistics support, Flight Global wrote, citing budget proposals approved by the country’s council of ministers.
Spain already operates 68 Eurofighters.
To Replace F-18 Hornets
The aircraft will replace the Spanish Air Force’s Boeing EF-18 Hornet jets scheduled for decommissioning from 2030.
“The C.15M [Hornet] aircraft fleet is currently about to begin the process of decommissioning, scheduled for around 2030, so it is necessary to replace it,” Janes quoted the government’s budgetary documents as saying.
“This requires the acquisition of 25 new EF2000 [Eurofighter] aircraft, engines, and associated mission support systems.”
20 Aircraft Bought Last Year
Madrid bought 20 Typhoons last year as part of Project Halcom, with deliveries expected from 2026.
The Tranche 4 aircraft will have an active electronically scanned array radar and other modifications over Tranche 3, according to Janes.
The radar will likely be Leonardo’s European Common Radar System Mk 1, whose development is led by Hensoldt and Indra.