Spain Plans to Increase HÜRJET Order to 45 Aircraft

TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that Spain plans to purchase 15 more aircraft in addition to its existing HÜRJET order of 30 aircraft.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu made statements about the company's aviation projects and export activities at the "National Technology Move from Blue Homeland to Sky Homeland" program held in Kastamonu.

Demiroğlu reminded that Spain preferred HÜRJET before the deliveries to the Turkish Air Force began and an agreement for 30 aircraft was signed. Regarding the additional order plan, “We are working for deliveries in 2028. There are plans to buy another 15.” he said.

If the plan for an additional 15 aircraft is implemented, Spain's total HÜRJET order will increase to 45. However, the current contract covers 30 aircraft; A separate contract for additional aircraft has not yet been announced.

HÜRJET will replace Spain's F-5 aircraft

Spain selected HÜRJET as part of the new training system that will replace the F-5 aircraft used in the advanced training of fighter pilots. The program includes not only aircraft supply, but also simulators, training infrastructure, maintenance support and adaptation works to be carried out with the participation of the Spanish industry.

TAI acts as the manufacturer of HÜRJET in the program carried out under the coordination of Airbus Defense and Space. In the first phase, 30 aircraft are planned to be delivered with their initial configuration and undergo the certification process in Spain. In the next stage, it is envisaged that the aircraft will be converted according to Spanish requirements.

According to the schedule announced by Airbus, the first deliveries are planned to be made in 2028 and 2029, the aircraft will be converted with Spanish systems and the final deliveries will continue in the period 2031-2035.

HÜRJET's export program may expand

Spain's plan to purchase an additional 15 aircraft brings to the fore the possibility of expanding HÜRJET's current export program. This plan, which came to the fore after the contract for the first 30 aircraft, also indicates that the role of the aircraft in Spain's advanced pilot training system may grow.

HÜRJET was developed for the advanced jet training and light attack needs of the Turkish Air Force. In the Spanish program, the aircraft is offered with a more comprehensive training system and local industry participation. Therefore, the procurement process includes training, simulation, maintenance and system adaptation activities in addition to the delivery of aircraft.

With TAI's statement, Spain's goal of increasing the HÜRJET fleet to 45 aircraft has come to the fore again, while the finalization of the additional purchase will depend on a new contract process.