Turkey secures first Hürjet trainer export with €3 billion Spanish commitment
October 30, 2025
Building on earlier Memorandums of Understanding, Spain has approved a budget of €3.12 billion ($3.63 bn) to purchase up to 45 upcoming Turkish Hürjet advanced jet trainers. The TAI Hürjet first flew in April 2023, and it is expected to enter Turkish service in 2026.
Spain signs agreement to purchase Hürjet trainers
In another step underlying Turkey’s emerging status as a significant player in the defence aerospace sector, Spain has signed an agreement to purchase the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) Hürjet for its modern fighter jet pilot training platform.
A statement by Spain’s Cabinet reveals the deal is worth €3.12 billion and will run through November 2035. There is no possibility of extension. These are expected to replace Spain’s remaining fleet of two-seat trainer variants of the Northrop F-5 (locally designated AE.9).
In December 2024, Janes stated the purchase could involve the transfer of six contracted, but unrequired Spanish Airbus A400M Atlas airlifters to Turkey. However, this has not been confirmed in the most recent reporting.
Strategic agreements for the export of HÜRJET to Spain have been signed with Airbus. ✈️
— Turkish Aerospace (@TUSAS_EN) July 24, 2025
This development regarding the export of our HÜRJET Jet Trainer aims to strengthen Türkiye’s position in the European aviation market through its advanced technological competence. pic.twitter.com/C28UH8Kfhn
In July 2025, TAI reported it had signed a cooperation agreement with Airbus to accelerate the export of the Hürjet jet trainer to Spain. At the time, TAI stated Spain planned to procure up to 30 Hürjet aircraft to meet its jet trainer requirements. It will represent a “qualitative leap” in Spanish pilot training.
Hürjets to be customised with Spanish systems
Spain’s Actualidad Aeroespacial reported that the Hürjet will provide a fully integrated learning environment, combining training aircraft, advanced digital tools, and state-of-the-art simulators. It will provide a more realistic and efficient training platform for Spanish pilots.
The aircraft will be built in Turkey but will be adapted with Spanish systems and its Integrated Training System – Combat (ITS-C) platform. Besides Turkey’s TAI and Europe’s Airbus, a consortium of Spanish companies is also taking part in the contract, providing engineering, structural component manufacturing, avionics, and more.
Separately, the UK has recently signed off on transferring its fleet of 12 retired C-130-30J Super Hercules tactical airlifters to Turkey. And Turkey has reached an agreement to purchase 20 UK-built Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
Other export opportunities for the Hürjet
Spain has emerged as the first export customer of the jet after Malaysia selected the South Korean KAI T-50 over the jet. That contract was for a light combat aircraft, reflecting that the Hürjet can also be used in a combat role.
The US Navy is currently looking for an advanced trainer to replace its ageing T-45 Goshawks. Current contenders include the Lockheed Martin–KAI TF-50N, the Boeing-Saab T-7B Red Hawk, the Textron/Leonardo M-346N Master, and the SNC Freedom Trainer.
Notably, the SNC Freedom Trainer was initially developed in partnership with TAI. The War Zone reported “the jet first emerged from a partnership with TAI, but SNC has been working on it independently for some years now.”
So the new SNC trainer could share at least some DNA with the Hürjet. At any rate, the Hürjet is powered by the US-supplied General Electric F404-GE-104 afterburning turbofan engine.
We have signed a significant memorandum of understanding with GE Aerospace for the F404 turbofan engines that power HÜRJET-Türkiye’s first jet trainer aircraft.
— Turkish Aerospace (@TUSAS_EN) July 23, 2025
This agreement marks an important step toward expanding the HÜRJET program to new international customers. ✈️🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZNaCfVyyOE
As an advanced jet trainer, the Hürjet is competing with aircraft like the M-346, Boeing T-7 Red Hawk, KAI T-50, Yak-130, and others. The UK is also developing the modular Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer, although it has not yet flown.
Some advanced turboprop aircraft, like the Pilatus PC-21, can be used for basic, advanced, and jet pilot training.
Featured Image: Turkish Aerospace Industries
