Spain boosts air power with 25 new Eurofighter jets under Halcon II programme
Under the Halcon II programme, Spain has ordered 25 additional Eurofighter aircraft to replace the EF-18AM/BM Hornet jets. (Photo: Airbus)
The latest batch of Typhoon jets includes upgrades such as a redesigned cockpit, a new radar for extended-range threat detection and integration of Meteor missiles that will equip the Spanish Air Force with beyond-visual-range air combat capabilities.
The Spanish government has approved the purchase another batch of Eurofighters for the country’s air force.
Under the Halcon II programme, Spain ordered 25 additional Eurofighter aircraft to replace the EF-18AM/BM Hornet currently in use with Ala 12 at Madrid/Torrejón Air Base and Ala 15 at Zaragoza Air Base. The Hornets will start to be decommissioned from 2030.
The new Typhoon fighters – all Tranche 4 – incorporate software upgrades, a redesigned cockpit with a large colour touch screen and the Indra AESA E-Scan Mk1 radar.
The new radar, developed in collaboration with Hensoldt, will have the capacity to concurrently detect many
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![France air focus: Lower-cost sovereign capabilities propel $11.38 billion UAV market]()
France air focus: Lower-cost sovereign capabilities propel $11.38 billion UAV market
France is estimated to be Europe’s second-highest spender on UAVs, with a market focused on domestic production, loitering munitions and lower-cost sovereign systems. Its spending profile highlights substantial future market opportunities while reflecting broader industry trends.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts]()
Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts
The biennial show in Paris will focus heavily on autonomous technology, counter-drone solutions and helicopters, as countries ramp up defence budgets and focus on modernising defence capabilities.
-
![Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon]()
Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon
Israel is working to close a counter-drone capability gap exposed by Hezbollah's fibre-optic systems, drawing on battlefield lessons from Ukraine to replace improvised defences with targeted solutions.
