Spain has taken a major step toward modernizing its military pilot training pipeline by selecting Turkey’s Hürjet advanced jet trainer to replace its aging Northrop F-5 fleet. The Spanish Air and Space Force plans to acquire 30 Hürjet aircraft, marking a key element of a broader effort to overhaul combat pilot preparation and align training with next-generation fighter operations.
Madrid has appointed Airbus Defence and Space as the national lead for the new Integrated Training System for Combat, with Turkish Aerospace responsible for supplying the aircraft. The program extends beyond the procurement of jets, encompassing a complete training ecosystem that integrates aircraft, high-fidelity simulators, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term logistical support.
Under the program structure, the Hürjet trainers will initially be delivered in a baseline configuration before undergoing modifications tailored to Spanish operational requirements. Airbus will oversee fleet conversion activities, establish a dedicated aircraft conversion center in Spain, and modernize the Fighter and Attack School at Talavera la Real Air Base in Extremadura. The first two aircraft will be converted at Airbus facilities in Getafe, while the remaining 28 jets will be modified locally once the Spanish center becomes operational.
Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and 2029, following Spanish certification, with final handovers expected between 2031 and 2035. Designed as a supersonic, tandem-seat trainer, the Hürjet bridges the gap between basic flight instruction and frontline combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. Its open-architecture design, advanced avionics, and digital cockpit enable realistic combat training while allowing Spain to tailor mission systems and simulation tools to national needs, reducing costs while enhancing operational readiness.
