Spain has officially decided against purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for its Air and Space Force and Navy, opting instead to focus on European-made alternatives. This decision aligns with Spain’s commitment to channel 85% of its defense budget into European products, making the acquisition of the American jet impractical. The F-35 was initially considered as a replacement for the Spanish Navy’s aging Harrier jump jets, which are set to retire by 2030. However, Spain has chosen to invest in Eurofighter Typhoons and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation combat system, to bolster its air defense capabilities. The Eurofighter Typhoons, while not carrier-capable, will replace the F/A-18s in the Spanish Air and Space Forces, reducing Spain’s dependency on the United States amidst uncertain US-European relations.

The decision to forgo the F-35s also reflects Spain’s broader defense strategy, which includes a commitment to spend 2% of its GDP on military expenditures, with a significant portion dedicated to European products. This move has sparked some tension with the United States, especially after Spain declined to increase its defense budget to 5% of GDP, a point of contention with former US President Donald Trump. Politically, this shift towards European defense products is seen as a strategic move to strengthen ties within Europe and assert a degree of independence from US influence.

As for Spain’s naval capabilities, the retirement of the Harrier jump jets will impact operations on the Juan Carlos I, Spain’s sole aircraft carrier. Currently, the carrier supports only Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, and without a direct replacement for the Harriers, it will be limited to helicopter operations post-2030. To address this, Spain is considering the construction of a new aircraft carrier with a Catapult-Assisted Takeoff But Assisted Recovery (CATOBAR) system, which would enhance its naval aviation capabilities and align it with other NATO powers like the US and France. However, this ambitious project will require significant time and investment to come to fruition.

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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More