Defence
Spain Rejects U.S.-Made F-35 Jets, Commits to European Fighter Programs
Spain will invest in European fighter programs over the F-35, focusing on Eurofighter and FCAS, while its Navy faces a looming Harrier replacement challenge.
Spain has officially decided against purchasing the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, choosing instead to focus on European alternatives such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This move reflects Spain’s strategic intent to strengthen European defense autonomy and invest in domestic and regional defense industries.
A spokesperson for the Spanish Ministry of Defense confirmed that the decision aligns with the government’s policy to prioritize European-made platforms.
As part of this strategy, Spain has allocated €6.25 billion (approximately $7.24 billion) in its 2023 budget specifically for new fighter aircraft. Additionally, it plans to dedicate the majority of its €10.5 billion supplementary defense budget to European defense projects, making a U.S. acquisition financially and politically impractical.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a joint European project developed by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, while the FCAS—Europe’s sixth-generation fighter initiative—is being developed collaboratively by Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas. Despite earlier interest in the F-35 as a potential replacement for Spain’s aging EF-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, the shift toward European programs underscores a long-term vision of regional defense self-sufficiency.
However, this decision raises concerns about the future of the Spanish Navy’s airpower. With the Harrier fleet expected to retire by 2030 and no vertical take-off European jet currently available, the absence of the F-35B—one of the few viable naval replacements—leaves a capability gap that has yet to be addressed.
While Lockheed Martin maintains that foreign military sales are government-to-government agreements and refrained from commenting directly, the shift in Spanish policy marks a significant moment in Europe’s defense landscape.
As Spain advances its commitment to FCAS and continues to invest in the Eurofighter, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether this decision strengthens its defense capabilities—or creates new vulnerabilities.
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