Spain has taken a major step toward replacing its aging fleet of Northrop F‑5M jet trainers through a strategic pact with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). On May 14, 2025, during the FEINDEF defense expo in Madrid, Spain and Türkiye signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to import—and eventually co‑produce—Hürjet advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft
Triggered by the successful evaluation of a Hürjet prototype at Torrejón base in mid‑2024, Spain is expected to order around 24 aircraft to replace the 19 long‑serving F‑5Ms by 2028–2030.
Features of the Hürjet
- Supersonic performance – capable of Mach 1.2–1.4 and 45,000 ft service ceiling.
- Modern avionics suite – digital fly‑by‑wire controls, glass cockpit, HUD, HMD, NVIS, aerial refueling, datalinks, and tactical training systems.
- Versatility – serves as both advanced trainer and light-attack platform with multi‑hardpoint payload capability7.
Industrial cooperation & barter details
The MoU includes provisions for:
- Co‑production in Spain, integrating Spanish aerospace firms (with Airbus as lead partner) into Hürjet assembly and subsystem manufacturing.
- Potential barter agreement exchanging 24 Hürjets for Spanish Airbus A400M transport aircraft—a proposal that Turkish and Spanish sources have both reported.
Strategic implications
- Marks Spain’s first European NATO purchase of a Turkish-designed combat trainer—reflecting diversification beyond transatlantic suppliers.
- Strengthens EU–Türkiye defense collaboration, embedding Turkish aerospace into Spanish industrial base and broader Euro‑Atlantic logistics .
- Signals a shift toward long-term strategic autonomy, enhancing pilot training for modern jets like Eurofighter and F/A‑18.
What’s next?
- Finalization of a purchase agreement and production roadmap expected later in 2025.
- Planned deliveries from 2028, with aircraft assigned to the 23rd Squadron at Talavera La Real Air Base.
- Potential development of naval version for carrier operations in future phases .
Summary
Spain’s planned acquisition of 24 Turkish-made Hürjet trainers signals a strategic pivot in defense procurement: supersonic performance, modern avionics, co-production in Spain including Airbus and local industry, and a wider NATO‑aligned partnership with Türkiye. The move promises enhanced pilot training capabilities and deeper industrial integration.
