Aviation News – Spain has approved a €3.68 billion defence modernization plan that includes the acquisition of up to 45 Turkish-built Hürjet trainer and light combat aircraft, marking a major shift in NATO’s industrial and military dynamics.
The Spanish Council of Ministers confirmed the package on 24 September 2025 through Royal Decree 848/2025, published in the Official Gazette. The programme, called the “Integrated Advanced Flight–Combat Training System” (ITS-C), is backed by €1.04 billion in zero-interest loans to Airbus Defence and Space, which will partner with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) on the project. The plan aims to revolutionize the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (Spanish Air and Space Force) and modernize Spain’s armed forces by 2030.
The Hürjet, an advanced trainer with light combat capability, will be integrated into Spain’s pilot training pipeline and operational units. Designed to prepare future fighter pilots, the aircraft will also provide secondary combat functions, giving Spain a flexible and cost-effective option to complement higher-end fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and future FCAS platforms.
“This decision ensures the Spanish Air and Space Force is equipped with the tools it needs for the future while deepening European–NATO industrial collaboration,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. “The Hürjet system will support both advanced pilot training and operational readiness.”
Defence analysts say the move reflects Spain’s urgency to replace aging trainer fleets and its willingness to diversify industrial partnerships within NATO. The programme is also seen as a strategic step to balance training and combat capabilities in light of evolving security challenges.
With the ITS-C initiative, Spain is poised to strengthen its military aviation infrastructure, build new industrial links with Turkey, and modernize its air force for the coming decade. The approval sets the stage for deliveries later this decade and a transformative boost to Spain’s defence ecosystem.
