Spain’s Ministry of Defense is pressing industry partners to meet performance and delivery deadlines for the 20 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft ordered under the Halcón I program, which will replace aging F-18s in the Spanish Air Force. The contract, signed in 2022, covers 16 single-seat and 4 two-seat Tranche 4 fighters and is intended to modernize Spain’s combat fleet while sustaining industrial activity at national assembly and support facilities.
According to Spanish defense officials, the first three Eurofighter Halcón I jets are scheduled to arrive in early 2026 at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, home of Ala 14. Defense authorities have stressed to the industrial consortium the need to adhere strictly to agreed timelines and technical specifications to avoid gaps in operational capability as the F-18s are phased out.
The Halcón I order is part of a broader effort that will eventually bring Spain’s Eurofighter inventory to 114 aircraft by around 2035, including additional batches already approved or under discussion. Madrid is using the current program negotiations and review meetings with its European partners to address future upgrades and ensure the new Tranche 4 standard aligns with long-term requirements for sensors, avionics, and weapons integration.