Spain selects Airbus and Indra for new SIGINT aircraft study

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence has officially selected Airbus Defence and Space and Indra to lead the definition phase for a new fleet of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft. Announced on December 30, 2025, this strategic agreement tasks the two industrial heavyweights, with designing a “national solution” to restore and enhance Spain’s electronic intelligence capabilities.

According to the official press release, the contract covers an 18-month conceptual definition study. The primary objective is to define a solution for three aircraft that will eventually replace Spain’s retired strategic intelligence assets. This initiative is part of a broader push for European “Strategic Autonomy,” ensuring that critical defense technologies remain under national and continental control.

The collaboration divides responsibilities clearly: Airbus will focus on the aircraft platform and integration, while Indra will lead the development of the advanced mission systems and sensors. This partnership aims to secure high-tech industrial workload for Spanish facilities, specifically in Getafe and Madrid, while providing the Spanish Air and Space Force with a sovereign capability to detect and classify electronic threats.

Defining a Sovereign SIGINT Solution

The core of this agreement is the development of a sovereign Signals Intelligence capability. Since the retirement of the Boeing 707 “Santiago” fleet, Spain has lacked a dedicated strategic platform for long-range electronic warfare and intelligence gathering. The new program aims to fill this gap with a modern, integrated solution.

Roles and Industrial Workshare

Under the terms of the agreement, the workshare leverages the specific strengths of both companies:

• Airbus Defence and Space: As the platform leader, Airbus is responsible for selecting the most suitable aircraft to meet the operational requirements of the Spanish Armed Forces. The company will also handle the integration of systems and the eventual industrialization of the solution at its Getafe facilities.
• Indra: As the mission systems leader, Indra will define the SIGINT payload. This includes the complex suite of sensors required for Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT).

“The study will analyze and define the most suitable platform and signals intelligence equipment to provide a national solution… to detect, track, classify, and identify targets of interest to the Spanish Armed Forces.”

— Airbus Press Release

Advanced Sensor Technology

Indra’s role is critical in ensuring the aircraft can operate in modern contested environments. The mission system must be capable of processing vast amounts of data to identify radar and communication emissions. Industry observers note that Indra is likely to leverage technology from its “Pegaso” family of electronic defense systems, ensuring the new fleet remains interoperable with other NATO and European assets.

Strategic Context and Modernization

This announcement arrives amidst a significant modernization drive for the Spanish Air and Space Force. By mandating a “national solution,” the Ministry of Defence is prioritizing industrial sovereignty, reducing reliance on non-European suppliers for sensitive intelligence data collection.

Broader Fleet Updates

The SIGINT study is one component of a larger overhaul of Spanish military aviation confirmed in late 2025. Alongside the intelligence aircraft, Spain is moving forward with the acquisition of Turkish Aerospace Hürjet trainers to replace aging F-5s and expanding its transport capabilities with additional Airbus C295 aircraft. This coordinated effort ensures that the Spanish aerospace industry remains deeply involved in the lifecycle of its defense assets.

AirPro News Analysis

While the press release does not specify which aircraft airframe will be selected, the requirement for a strategic platform capable of housing complex consoles and offering long endurance narrows the field.

We believe the Airbus A320neo family is a strong contender. Airbus has previously explored “Modular Multi-Mission Aircraft” (M3A) concepts based on the A320, which would offer the cabin volume necessary for extensive SIGINT workstations and crew rest areas during long missions. Furthermore, utilizing an Airbus airframe would maximize the industrial return for the Getafe facility.

Alternatively, a high-end business jet (such as a Dassault Falcon 10X or similar) could offer lower operating costs and higher altitude performance. However, given the emphasis on a “national solution” and Airbus’s leadership in the platform definition, a commercial derivative based on an Airbus jetliner appears to be the most politically and industrially consistent choice.

Regardless of the airframe selected, this 18-month study marks a critical step in restoring Spain’s independent strategic eyes and ears in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Sources

• Airbus Press Release