Hürjets, helicopters and C295s: Spain spends $4.3bn with Airbus to modernise defence fleets
September 25, 2025
The Spanish government has approved a major five-year funding initiative, aiming to modernise and recapitalise several of its fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft fleets.
Published by Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) on 24 September, the newly green-lit Royal Decree 848/2025 outlined that €3.68bn ($4.33bn) in direct loans had been granted to Airbus, which is serving as the lead contractor for six major industrial development projects from 2025-2030.
The decree says it “establishes the rules for the direct granting of [contracts] to Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Helicopters Spain for the industrial development of six special modernisation programmes in the aerospace and defence sector.
“The measure responds to Spain’s Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence (2025), aiming to modernise the armed forces, strengthen industrial/technological sovereignty, generate employment and [stimulate] innovation,” it adds.
Of the six major programmes discussed in this new decree, four focus on the modernisation and unification of Spain’s rotary-wing fleet, while the two remaining projects concentrate on the full recapitalisation of two ageing fixed-wing aircraft fleets.
NH90 helicopters: Spain expands rotary-wing fleet with 32 new orders
This new decree maintains Madrid’s ongoing commitment to the modernisation and consolidation of its rotary-wing aircraft fleets across its three main military services: the Air and Space Force (SASF), Army (SA) and Navy (SN).
According to the documentation, Airbus Helicopters Spain is to receive €1bn ($1.18bn) for the NH90-3 project. With this investment, Spain will acquire 32 more NH90s over the next five years, adding to the 45 airframes that have already been contracted for delivery to the Spanish armed forces.
This is a demonstration of Madrid’s commitment to consolidating key rotary-wing fleets under one aircraft type – helping to reduce overall lifecycle costs, while also promoting cross-service commonality.
Now operational with all three branches of the Spanish armed forces, the NH90 is used for tactical transport operations by the SA, as a personnel recovery/combat search-and-rescue (PR/CSAR) asset by the SASF, and as an amphibious tactical airlifter by the SN.
Going forward, the SN will also start to employ the type in the anti-submarine/surface warfare (ASW/ASuW) role.
Spain to acquire H135 and H175M helicopters
The decree also earmarks a further €100m ($118m) for the second phase of Spain’s H135 training/utility support helicopter project.
Initiated in December 2021, the first phase of this programme saw the acquisition of 36 H135s to replace the SASF’s now-retired fleet of Hughes 500M helicopters, as well as the SN’s remaining S-76Cs and the Spanish Guardia Civil/National Police’s Bo-105 rotorcraft.
As part of the second phase of this programme, Spain has committed to purchasing 13 more H135s for both SASF and SN use.
Notably, Spain has also committed €100m ($118m) to the purchase of an initial six H175M multi-mission helicopters to replace the SASF’s ageing AS332M/AS532UL Super Puma fleet – which is currently operated in support of critical missions by Ala 48 (48th Wing) – as part of the Multipurpose Helicopter Programme (HACES).
Initially pitched as a replacement for the UK’s veteran Puma HC2 fleet, the SASF will now become the first military customer for the type, which is expected to remain in use for at least 25 years.
HELIPO: Spain to develop new light multipurpose helicopter fleet
In rounding off the decree’s rotary-wing focus, Madrid has also earmarked €920m ($1.08bn) for its Light Multipurpose Helicopter for Training (HELIPO) programme.
This project aims to build a fleet of 54 twin-engine multi-mission helicopters to replace the SA’s fleet of EC135 rotorcraft, which entered service in 2005 and are now said to be reaching the end of their useful life.
The project also aims to bridge the gap in intermediate capabilities between the Army’s transport (NH90) and attack (Tigre) helicopters.
While no aircraft type was named in the document, it is likely that Spain will acquire the H145M, given the decree’s strong Airbus links and references to utilising the firm’s HForce weapons management system/software.
The decree notes that the first flight of its HELIPO prototype is planned to take place in 2027, with deliveries commencing from 2028 and concluding in 2034.
Throughout the decree, the Spanish government has outlined its plans for major component assembly, training and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations in support of these four fleets will be carried out domestically.
Spain selects Turkish Hürjet trainers to replace ageing SF-5M jets
Also in the document, Spain has outlined its plan to outright replace three of its older fixed-wing aircraft fleets, all of which are operated by the SASF. As such, Airbus Defence and Space will also receive €1.04bn ($1.23bn) as part of Spain’s highly anticipated Integrated Advanced Flight Training System (ITS-C) project.
The decree covers the acquisition of 45 Turkish-made Hürjet advanced jet trainers, with an initial batch of aircraft expected to arrive at Talavera la Real Air Base, Spain, for familiarisation training in 2028, followed by the delivery of a customer-specific variant from 2031.
This move comes after Airbus announced in May that it would collaborate with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) to offer the Hürjet to Spain as a solution for its long-standing next-generation advanced jet training requirements.
While the baseline Hürjets will be built in Turkey, the aircraft will undergo a conversion process with Airbus Defence and Space to adapt them to the user-specific needs of Spain before delivering them to the SASF. This process will be completed in-country.
Spain’s acquisition of the Hürjet will enable the SASF to retire its veteran SF-5M Freedom Fighters, the first of which entered service in 1970.
The type has been extensively used to train generations of Spanish fighter pilots over its 55 years of use. While 70 examples of the Freedom Fighter were initially acquired for various mission sets, just the training-configured, dual-seat SF-5Ms remain in use with Ala 23 at Talavera.
C295 transports to recapitalise CN235 and C212 training fleets
Finally, the decree earmarks a further €520m ($610.2m) to Airbus Defence and Space to acquire 18 new C295 tactical transports as part of Spain’s Air Mobility Training Technologies (ITS-T) programme.
This project aims to replace the SASF’s ageing CN235 fleet in the air mobility training role, as well as the C212 Aviocars that are currently being used for parachute training operations. This effort comes as part of Madrid’s plan to recapitalise some of its mixed aircraft fleets with a single common platform.
The document states that 12 examples will be used to support training and tactical transport missions. The remaining six aircraft will be employed in the paratrooper training role.
Spain’s defence strategy: Strengthening sovereignty and Airbus partnership
Madrid’s latest commitment to modernising these rotary- and fixed-wing fleets cements the Spanish government’s push to bolster both defence spending and its overall military posture, while also showcasing its strong strategic partnership with Airbus domestically.
It is also notable to add that Spain has taken significant steps toward achieving autonomy in maintaining key military capabilities with its renewed focus on strengthening its domestic industrial support base.
While this decree outlines investment for some of Spain’s most important military procurement initiatives at present, it does not address all of its upcoming capability concerns.
These include the future of the SN’s carrier-capable fleet of EAV-8B Matador II fighters, which remains unclear after Madrid shelved plans to purchase the 5th-generation F-35B Lightning II in August.
