In the picture
Eurofighter 'Typhoon' Tranche 4, of which the Spanish Government has signed for the purchase of 25 units [Airbus].
The modernization of the Air and Space Army is decisive, as, with an aging fleet, the update of combat capabilities is of paramount importance to be able to respond effectively to current and future threats. This modernization, backed by a significant budget increase, reflects the fact that Spain appears to be on track to adapt to security standards also in order to achieve greater independence within NATO.
Technology being one of the most decisive factors in the global military exercise, the Spanish Air and Space Army faces major challenges such as the modernization of its operational capabilities to be able to face the increasingly evident security threats in the current global context, as well as to be able to remain committed to European and NATO defense objectives.
This modernization project has been reflected in a budget increase by the government that allows the Armed Forces to develop existing infrastructures and to incorporate new methods of national defense, such as drones or artificial intelligence. According to NATO data , Spain's defense expense rose from 0.9% of GDP in 2019 to 1.3% in 2023, a level at which it would have remained in 2024, according to preliminary estimates. In 2024, Spain's defense budget experienced a significant increase, reaching 16 billion euros, through extraordinary appropriations and additional transfers approved by the Government. The purpose of this initiative is not only to strengthen the Air Force, but also to move towards greater strategic autonomy, reducing dependence on resources and technology from NATO allies.
However, modernization projects are large in scope and their development will be subject to a variety of factors. To perform an analysis of this modernization, it is essential to understand the current capabilities of the Air and Space Army and its core topic areas for improvement, aspects that will allow us to evaluate the scope and benefits of this transformation.
Current Air and Space Army Capabilities
Regarding the combat capability of its air fleet, the Spanish Air Force has a fleet composed mainly of Eurofighter 'Typhoon' (C.16) and Mc Donnell Douglas F-18 'Hornet' (C.15) fighters. Currently, the Spanish Air and Space Force has a total of 73 operational units of the C.16 (an effective air superiority fighter for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions; its entrance into service in Spain dates back to 2003) and 65 units of the C.15 (a multipurpose fighter that entered service in 1986). Both models have proven their effectiveness in a multitude of international operations, including maritime surveillance missions in the Mediterranean, peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and participation in NATO missions, such as those carried out in Libya. Complementing this combat fleet are air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs and mines. The airlift capacity amounts to 14 units of the Airbus A400M 'Atlas', the T.23 in the name of the Air and Space Army; a military transport aircraft of great capacity that allows transporting large loads, vehicles and troops over long distances.
In terms of staff, the Spanish Air and Space Army had, according to 2023 estimates, approximately 22,000 personnel. This highly qualified staff plays a fundamental role in the maintenance and operation of the weapons systems, as well as in the execution of the missions entrusted to it.
Limitations and areas for improvement
Despite its capabilities, the Air and Space Army's combat fleet is facing a significant aging problem, something that other military aviations worldwide are not spared. The exceeding of the service life of many units can generate a series of operational and logistical challenges.
The obsolescence of the Air and Space Army is especially evident in the case of the C.15 fighters, whose life is approaching almost four decades, with the consequent increase in maintenance costs associated with the deterioration of components and systems. The rate of air accidents, such as the one that resulted in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada in an accident during a training flight near Teruel on October 4, 2024, has grown worryingly. At the same time, the decrease in operational availability and the reduction in mission statement capability have limited the effectiveness of this fighter in modern combat scenarios. All this highlights the need to evaluate strategic alternatives to modernize the fighter fleet and, in addition, to ensure the safety of pilots.
The need to replace the aging F18 'Hornet' fighters is becoming increasingly evident, and is unavoidable to bring the Air and Space Army in line with NATO operational standards, especially in view of the current uncertain geopolitical status . The problem is particularly pressing in the case of the F18 fleet in the Canary Islands. In response to this demand, the Government has initiated a process of acquisition of the Eurofighter 'Typhoon' Tranche 4, a state-of-the-art air superiority fighter, in order to progressively take over the missions currently performed by the 'Hornets' in the archipelago. Pending would be the renewal of the rest of the C.15 fleet, for which several options are being considered, without ruling out the possibility of acquiring an undetermined issue of Lockheed Martin F-35A model units.
Budgetary considerations and fiscal challenges
After the Cold War (1947-1991), public expense on defense was reduced B all European countries. Against this background, the global financial crisis of 2008, which hit Spain hard, imposed even more drastic budgetary restrictions on the Armed Forces.
While global stability reigned in the years immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the low level of expense was of no apparent concern. The status has changed with the rise of China to the rank of systemic rival of the West and, more recently, with Russia's aggression in Ukraine initiated in 2022.
The re-election of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States takes on special relevance, and adds an additional element of pressure towards greater defense expense , as he had already in his previous term of office critically expressed the lack of defense investment by European NATO members. This pressure resulted in the vague commitment announced in 2022 by the Spanish Prime Minister to reach a defense expense of 2% of GDP within an unspecified timeframe.
The government has specified the fulfillment of this goal goal by 2029. Along these lines, during 2023, the budget of the Ministry of Defense included an increase of 26.31% with respect to the previous year's budget , which, in absolute terms, put the defense expense on the verge of 13,000 million Euros. In spite of the difficulties due to the lack of approval of the General State Budget for 2024, since the processing of the same could not be carried out within the deadlines determined by law, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, assured that all the modernization programs will be kept underway.
budget and modernization projects
The aforementioned budget increase has had a direct impact on the Air and Space Army modernization project . 444.6 million for the purchase of 23 NH90 multi-mission helicopters, of which 15 are for the Army's Air Mobile Forces and 6 for the Air and Space Army. This helicopter provides capabilities for transport, combat, evacuation and anti-submarine missions, and reinforces the capacity of the Air Force and the Navy, which will also be included in this area.
In addition, the Government has also purchased 16 Airbus C295 (T.21) aircraft in maritime patrol (MPA) and maritime surveillance (VIGMA) configurations for the Spanish Air and Space Force, with a total budget of 2,034 million euros. Of these 16 aircraft, 6 will be C295 MPA, destined to replace the P-3 Orion, which will be retired in 2022. This is a high performing model in terms of anti-submarine warfare, a strategic capability for the Ministry of Defense.
The most important part of the renewed budget is undoubtedly that dedicated to the project for the modernization and renewal of the combat fleet to which reference letter has already been made earlier. For this purpose, the plan is to allocate a budget of 4.5 billion euros for the two-phase acquisition of a new fighter aircraft. In the first phase, the Government signed a contract for the purchase of 25 Eurofighter 'Typhoon' Tranche 4 (C.16) aircraft, intended to replace part of the F18 fleet, with deliveries scheduled for 2030. The second phase of this project is still in the process of assessment the possible candidates to continue this restitution. Although the acquisition of Lockheed Martin's F35 is still among the options, the Ministry of Defense is leaning towards a European solution such as the one offered by the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) program, a multinational project involving France, Germany and Spain for the development of a sixth generation combat air system, which includes drones and fighters connected with artificial intelligence, and which is expected to enter service in the 2040s. This option poses a time problem, as the F18 will be retired in 2030, forty-three years after its entrance into service. But it will leave before 2040, the date scheduled for the arrival of the FCAS, provided that the project is not delayed. The solution to this problem may involve extending the operational life of the C.16 or acquiring the F35.
Conclusions. Impact on Spain's strategic area
The modernization plan of the Spanish Air and Space Force considers an extensive renewal of the existing capabilities, especially of the fighter fleet, and includes those of the transport and rotary wing fleets.
The FCAS project not only reinforces interoperability with other EU armies, but also strengthens national sovereignty by reinforcing the strategic autonomy of the Spanish Armed Forces. However, the limitations of the modernization projects are presented in the time gap of operability, since in the case of the F18 is expected to be inoperative in 2030 and the FCAS project will not be completed until 2040.
The main advantage of the modernization of the Spanish Air and Space Force is its strategic strengthening in a world in which technology is becoming increasingly important and is advancing rapidly. Consequently, it will also improve its position within its main military alliance, NATO, not only in achieving the required measures but also in contributing to the maintenance of global security. Conversely, failure to modernize would result in a lack of autonomy and influence in these contexts, in a world facing critical situations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
It can be noted that the modernization of the Armed Air Forces will lead to the reinforcement of Spain's defensive autonomy. Moreover, the partnership in collective defense programs results for Spain in a strategy of development and own production that guarantees strategic and operational benefits in the long term, strengthening the response capacity and reinforcing national sovereignty.