Spain Approves €3.12B Deal for 45 Turkish Hurjet Trainer Aircraft

Spain’s government has approved a €3.12 billion ($3.6 billion) contract to acquire 45 Hurjet trainer and light attack aircraft from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The Council of Ministers confirmed the approval of the Integrated Training System-Spain (ITS-C) program during its October 28 meeting. The new system will replace the country’s aging F-5 training aircraft and will include a complete ground-based training setup with simulators, computer-assisted instruction, instructor training, and logistics support.

According to government documentation, the contract—valid through November 30, 2035, without extension—will “update, expand, and renew capabilities in pilot training specialized in fighter and attack aircraft,” ensuring preparedness for complex modern security scenarios.

The €3.12 billion expenditure represents a sharp increase from initial estimates of €1.75 billion, reflecting an expansion from 24 to 45 aircraft and a broader program scope. Spain’s Ministry of Industry will provide €1.04 billion ($1.21 billion) in credit over five years to support the initiative, as per Turkish media.

Airbus Defense and Space España will adapt the Hurjet to Spanish requirements, developing a locally customized version incorporating systems from Spain’s aerospace industry. Fifteen Spanish companies—including Indra, Aernnova, Aciturri, GMV, and Sener—will participate under Airbus’s coordination to enhance domestic industrial capabilities and technology transfer.

The Hurjet is a supersonic, single-engine, two-seat aircraft designed for both pilot training and light attack missions. Deliveries will begin in 2028, with the aircraft entering service for pilot courses in 2029–2030 and expected to remain operational for at least three decades.

Program documentation described the ITS-C as a comprehensive model “from pilot candidate selection through operational integration into fighter squadrons of the latest generation, such as the Eurofighter and potentially the future FCAS system.”