US EditionSpain rules out buying F-35, choosing between Eurofighter or FCAS
SPAIN, AUG 6 – Spain will invest 85% of its $11.4 billion defense budget in European programs to boost defense sovereignty and meet NATO's 2% GDP spending target, suspending F-35 talks indefinitely.
- On August 6, 2025, Spain announced it is no longer considering U.S.-made F-35 jets and will choose between the Eurofighter and the Future Combat Air System .
- This decision follows Spain's increased defense budget commitments to meet NATO's 2% GDP target and a reorientation to prioritize European-made equipment amid geopolitical and industrial tensions.
- Spain planned initially to spend 6.25 billion euros on new fighters in 2023 but shifted focus after adding 10.5 billion euros for European defense procurement this year.
- Spain has approved 45 aircraft under its Halcon acquisition program to replace F/A-18 Hornets and expects FCAS, involving Dassault, Airbus, and Indra, to enter service around 2040.
- The move signals Spain's continued commitment to European defense autonomy while postponing acquisition of U.S. stealth jets with implications for naval aviation capabilities.
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52 Articles
Spain's decision to purchase European fighter jets instead of American F-35s is the latest sign of deepening tensions with the Donald Trump administration, in the context of defense and foreign policy.
Spain is passing on the F-35, looking instead at European fighters as anxiety over Trump has had US allies rethinking the jet
A US F-35 flies over Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida in October 2024.US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas RupiperSpain said it will not buy the US-designed F-35 and is looking at European-made options.Some US allies have expressed doubt over the jet as a result of Trump.Europe's defense industry is growing and has seen opportunities to capitalize on the moment.NATO ally Spain has decided against buying the US-designed F-35 Ligh…
Spain is looking at alternatives in Europe to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets, rather than the US-sourced F-35s, the Minister of Defense told the Financial Times. Spain cites its participation in the European defense project FCAS as the main reason, but the strained relationship with the US undoubtedly also plays a role.
The joint project of France, Germany and Spain aiming at the creation of a combat aircraft is in serious danger of being wrecked by the French demands of being able to read
Spain rules out buying F-35, choosing between Eurofighter or FCAS
Spain is no longer considering the option of buying U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets and is choosing between European-made Eurofighter and the so-called Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a defence ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Spain no longer takes into account the option to buy F-35 manufactured aircraft and will choose between the Eurofighter model manufactured in Europe and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), as well as...
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