Training & Certification
Airbus to Lead Spain’s New Combat Training Program with HÜRJET Jets
Spain awards Airbus €2.6B contract for 30 HÜRJET trainers, integrating Spanish systems to modernize pilot training and ensure defense sovereignty.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence has officially selected Airbus Defence and Space to lead the development and implementation of the Integrated Training System, Combat (ITS-C) for the Spanish Air and Space Force. Announced on December 30, 2025, this major acquisition program aims to modernize Spain’s pilot training capabilities and secure national sovereignty over critical defense systems.
According to the official announcement, the core of the ITS-C program involves the acquisition of 30 HÜRJET advanced jet trainers. While the aircraft platforms will be manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Airbus will act as the national coordinator and prime contractor. The company is tasked with integrating Spanish-specific avionics and mission systems to ensure the fleet meets the precise needs of the Spanish Air and Space Force.
This strategic move addresses the urgent need to replace Spain’s aging Northrop F-5M fleet, which has served for over 50 years. By selecting an existing platform like the HÜRJET and customizing it with sovereign technology, Spain aims to bridge the gap between current training requirements and the demands of future 5th and 6th-generation fighters.
The ITS-C program is valued at approximately €2.6 billion, a figure that underscores the comprehensive nature of the contract. Beyond the aircraft themselves, the deal includes a robust Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) and long-term lifecycle support.
The selected platform, the HÜRJET, is a single-engine, supersonic advanced trainer capable of reaching speeds of Mach 1.4. Powered by a General Electric F404 engine, the aircraft features a modern glass cockpit and fly-by-wire controls. These capabilities allow it to serve effectively as a Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT), preparing student pilots for high-performance combat aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the EF-18 Hornet.
According to the program details, the timeline for deployment is structured in two main phases:
A key component of the agreement is the industrial setup, designed to maximize Spanish participation. Airbus stated in their press release that they will establish a dedicated Conversion Centre in Spain. While TAI will manufacture the “green” aircraft in Turkey, the integration of the “brain”, the avionics, training software, and mission systems, will be led by Airbus and a consortium of Spanish technology companies.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the dual focus on capability and industry:
“This ambitious programme seeks to create a state-of-the-art combat training system in Spain that addresses the immediate needs of the Air and Space Force. It will also boost national industry participation, return on investment and capability development, ensuring Spanish sovereignty throughout the entire process.”
— Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus Defence and Space
Airbus will coordinate roughly 15 Spanish companies to supply critical subsystems. Reports indicate that key partners include Indra for simulation systems, GMV for software and mission planning, and Tecnobit (Grupo Oesía) for communications. This approach ensures that while the airframe is imported, the training architecture remains under Spanish control.
The selection of the HÜRJET over a clean-sheet design, such as the previously proposed Airbus Future Jet Trainer (AFJT), reflects a pragmatic balance between urgency and industrial ambition. Developing a new aircraft from scratch would likely have exceeded the timeline required to replace the F-5M before its structural life expires. By purchasing a mature platform and layering domestic technology on top, Spain secures an immediate solution while retaining control over the high-value systems that define modern air combat training.
Furthermore, this system is explicitly designed as a bridge to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The inclusion of “Live, Virtual, and Constructive” (LVC) technologies will allow student pilots to train in real jets while interacting with virtual wingmen and threats, a critical skill for the 6th-generation warfare environment Spain is developing alongside France and Germany.
What is the total value of the contract? The estimated value of the contract is approximately €2.6 billion, covering the 30 aircraft, simulators, and support systems.
Where will the new aircraft be based? The fleet will be stationed at the Talavera la Real Air Base in Badajoz, which houses the Spanish Air and Space Force’s Fighter and Attack School.
Will the aircraft be built in Spain? The basic airframes will be manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Turkey. However, Airbus will establish a Conversion Centre in Spain to install Spanish-specific avionics and systems. The first two units will be modified at Airbus’s Getafe facility.
What is the “Spanishization” of the aircraft? This refers to the integration of Spanish-made mission systems, communications, and training software into the Turkish airframe, ensuring the training system remains sovereign and compatible with other Spanish assets.
Airbus Selected to Lead Spain’s New Combat Training System with HÜRJET Fleet
Program Overview and Timeline
The HÜRJET Platform
Delivery Schedule
Industrial Strategy and Sovereignty
The Spanish Consortium
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Airbus