Hürjet improves its Spanish prospects.
May 14, 2025
Spanish defence news platform Avion Revue predicted that a formal agreement for Spain’s air force to acquire the Hürjet was expected to be signed on Wednesday, 14 May, at the FEINDEF International Defence and Security Exhibition, which is being held in Madrid from 12-14 May, 2025.
The Spanish Air and Space Force is seeking a modern replacement for its ageing fleet of 19 Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighters (known locally as the AE.9), which serve with Ala 23 at Talavera La Real Air Base, preparing pilots for the Eurofighter Typhoon and EF-18M Hornet. Spain began looking for a replacement in earnest in 2023, hoping to induct the new type by 2028. This would seem to fit with TAI’s plans to start production in 2025 with the first deliveries (to Turkey) in 2026.
Spain has evaluated the Boeing T-7 Red Hawk, the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, and Leonardo M-346 Master, but the Hürjet is believed to be the front runner following its evaluation at Torrejon air base near Madrid between July and August 2024, perhaps linked to some kind of reciprocal deal with Turkey buying more Airbus A400M aircraft. More recently, Spain’s Chief of the Air Staff, General Francisco Braco, flew the Hürjet.
Türkiye and Spain signed an initial Memorandum of Understanding for 24 Hürjet aircraft in December 2024, and the Spanish Defence Ministry is expected to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establishe a framework for future collaboration by Spanish industry in the Hürjet advanced trainer programme. Some reports suggest that 28-30 new trainer aircraft could be acquired, with a budget of €275 million ($309.5 million). Spain reportedly plans a phased procurement, initially procuring aircraft produced entirely in Türkiye but certified by Spanish industry, with a second incorporating Spanish systems and with broader participation by Spain’s defence/aerospace industry.
TAI’s President and CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu was present at FEINDEF, where he said that Turkish Aerospace views the Hürjet as a potential NATO future training aircraft. “Once the Turkish Air Force starts using it, and inshallah, Spain too, this aircraft could become the training platform of choice across NATO countries.”
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May 14, 2025
