Spain to purchase 45 Turkish HÜRJET trainer aircraft In €3.12 billion deal / Photo

Spain has approved the purchase of 45 HÜRJET aircraft, Türkiye’s domestically developed jet trainer and light attack aircraft, in a landmark €3.12 billion deal that marks one of Ankara’s largest defence exports to a European Union member state.

The Spanish government announced that it had authorised the acquisition of the Integrated Training System for Combat (ITS-C), designed to replace the ageing AE.09 (F-5) fleet of the Spanish Air and Space Force, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting and officially recorded in government documents.

“The Council of Ministers has approved the procurement of the Integrated Training System for Combat (ITS-C) to replace the current AE.09 (F-5) aircraft, with an estimated value of €3.12 billion,” the statement read.

Enhancing pilot training capabilities

According to Madrid, the move is intended to strengthen the training capabilities of Spain’s Air and Space Force by ensuring that future fighter and attack aircraft pilots are adequately prepared for increasingly complex operational environments.

“This system (ITS-C) aims to ensure sufficient readiness for operations in new and complex security scenarios,” the Cabinet statement added. “The contract will remain valid until 30 November 2035 and will not be subject to extension.”

Deliveries to begin in 2028

Deliveries of the HÜRJET aircraft, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), are expected to start in 2028. The first jets are scheduled to enter service for the 2029–2030 training course, with the fleet projected to remain operational for at least 30 years.

Technical specifications

HÜRJET, Türkiye’s first indigenous jet trainer, is designed for both advanced pilot training and light combat missions. The twin-seat aircraft measures 13.6 metres in length with a wingspan of 9.5 metres and is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine delivering 17,600 pounds of thrust.

It can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.4, operate at altitudes of 45,000 feet, and carry a payload of 2,700 kilograms across multiple hardpoints. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 13,700 metres and a range of approximately 2,200 kilometres.

By Aghakazim Guliyev