DefenseSpain Drops F‑35, Weighs Eurofighter and the FCAS Program
Spain announced on August 6 that it is no longer considering the purchase of the U.S.-made F‑35 fighter jet, opting instead to choose between the Eurofighter Typhoon and the future jet from the FCAS program.
The defense ministry confirmed the decision, according to report by El País.
Originally budgeted at €6.25 billion in Spain’s 2023 defense funding for new fighters, the plan was reoriented when the country committed an additional €10.5 billion to defense this year.
Preferring to invest in European industry, the option to buy the F‑35—produced by Lockheed Martin—was ruled out. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized Spain’s commitment to NATO’s 2% GDP defense target, and rejected longer-term proposals to raise the defense budget to 5%.
The decision represents a shift in Spain’s air power modernization. The U.S. F‑35 was previously seen as a replacement candidate for aging aircraft.
Now, Spain is favoring European-made aircraft: the Eurofighter, built by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo; and the next-generation fighter under development for the FCAS program by Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas.
Over recent years, Europe has sought greater defense autonomy via collaborative programs like FCAS, supporting domestic industries and reducing reliance on foreign equipment.
However, the FCAS program is facing uncertainty after Dassault complained about the delay in making decisions among partners.
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