The Spanish Air Force has confirmed the procurement of 25 additional Eurofighter Typhoon.
The contract, referred to as Halcon II, was signed between Eurofighter and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) on 20th December 2024.
This order follows a previous purchase of 20 Typhoons under the Halcon I agreement in 2022 and will bring the Spanish Air Force’s total Eurofighter fleet to 115 aircraft.
The new jets are scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2035, replacing part of Spain’s ageing F-18 fleet based in Torrejon and Zaragoza.
The new Typhoons will feature advanced avionics, electronically scanning radar (E-Scan), improved sensors, enhanced weapon capabilities including Brimstone III and Meteor, and upgraded connectivity systems.
Eurofighter officials highlighted the aircraft’s service life, which extends beyond 2060, ensuring integration into future European air combat systems. According to Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Chief Executive of Eurofighter:
“The Spanish order for 25 additional Eurofighter jets is another proud chapter in the programme’s ‘renaissance’ period… The new Spanish order will also bring significant economic benefits to our core nations and the economies of Europe.”
The Eurofighter programme supports over 100,000 jobs across 400 companies in Europe, making it one of the continent’s largest defence initiatives. A report by PwC earlier this year projected that the programme could contribute €90 billion to Europe’s GDP and generate €22 billion in tax revenue over the next decade.
AVM Simon Ellard (ret.), General Manager of NETMA, emphasised the importance of the deal:
“Halcon II is a significant achievement which underscores Spain’s strong commitment to the Eurofighter Programme. The additional 25 aircraft will not only enhance Spain’s defence capabilities but also drive significant economic and industrial benefits for Spain and the rest of Europe.”
Spain’s purchase comes as other Eurofighter nations, including Germany and Italy, prepare their own orders. These acquisitions are expected to expand the programme’s additional order book to between 100 and 200 aircraft over the next decade.
Lots of orders coming in for Typhoons whilst we cut ours! Now even Spain will have more than us! We’re led by donkeys!
Tragically, before long the UK will have the smallest fast jet fleet and the smallest SAM capabilty of all the major western powers and come close to even some of the smaller ones.
Check out the ozzie Air force. Full fleet of f35a alongside f18s including growler variants. Arguably they offer more punch than the RAF can currently offer. They even have fekin AWACs!
Yes when it comes to our leaders it’s starting to sound like Lord hee-haw. 🤐
I’m afraid defence is ‘way down’ Labours priority list.
I expect SDSR25 to be yet another cutting exercise.
The Unions smell blood and the government will cave, any and all available cash will go into pay rises
Yup, but the unions also are with Typhoon, shipbuilding etc etc.
So expect to see orders for continuity of production.
To be totally fair ordering warships isn’t like the old days when costs were all over the place and the workforce and companies were a total nightmare. Hopefully the H&W have smelled coffee and agreed to a five day week!
Regarding the H&W workforce, I’d be very surprised if they have moved their position one single iota ! It’s one of prime reasons none of the U.K companies will touch it, they take one look at that industrial relations hand grenade and just walk away. For decades it’s been pretty obvious that given its facilities and geographic location H&W would have been a very sensible acquisition for BAe, but ……👎🏻 not with those T’s n C’s.
Then the solution will be H&W make some simple blocks and maybe assemble the hulls.
Up to the workforce if they want jobs and work.
I cannot understand why we are not ordering more Typhoons like Spain and Germany. We are using them hard and even if all goes smoothly, Tempest won’t reach IOC until 2035. I would be happy to see all the F35s assigned to the RN with the RAF compensated by more Typhoons. They would be capable of deploying a full range of air to air and air to ground weapons, unlike current F35s. Rebuilding combat airpower is far more important than building additional frigates that the RN won’t be able to crew.
Yay!!! Fly Navy 👍👍👍
We can’t afford more frigates or Jets, that’s why there’s no new orders
Of course we can. Lots of other things could be cut or reduced to fund them.
We really need another 25+ typhoons to keep the fleet working into the late 2040s as it will be at least a decade after tempest IOC before it equips all the front line squadrons at present most of our typhoon fleet will be very old and knackered and probably out of airframe hours in 15-20 years time..we need around 25 that will still be flying in the late 2040s.