Replacements for F/A-18s in Canary Islands
Spain ordered a further 20 Eurofighters via the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) at ILA on 23 June, bringing the national fleet of aircraft to 90 and the number of Typhoons in service or on order in Europe to 545.
Known as the Halcón programme, the order covers 16 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft to the latest standard, equipped with E-Scan radar, to replace the F/A-18 fleet currently operated from the Canary Islands. The €2.043 billion order was approved by the government last December and includes the aircraft, engines, a simulator and necessary support services. Delivery is scheduled to commence in 2025.
Eurofighter is Europe’s largest defence programme, involving the four core nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. and Italy, securing in excess of 100,000 European jobs. Total aircraft orders now stand at 681 aircraft to nine nations globally. “This additional order reinforces Spain’s commitment not only towards the Eurofighter but also to its development and industrial environment. I would like to thank the customer for its firm position with respect to European defence at a time when it is needed most,” commented Mike Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
“The Spanish government’s commitment to purchasing additional Typhoons reinforces its position as one of the world’s most successful combat military aircraft. Every day we are seeing the important role which it plays in delivering air security in the skies over Europe and this investment only strengthens the international partnership which Eurofighter underpins. The fact that an existing Typhoon operator is committing to buying additional aircraft only reinforces their confidence in the aircraft and its performance. Our people will now work alongside our Eurofighter partners to ensure we provide the Spanish Air Force with the aircraft it needs to secure its skies for decades to come,” added Andrea Thompson, Managing Director, Europe & International for BAE Systems’ air sector and Chair of the Eurofighter Supervisory Board.
