TUSAŞ Nears Landmark HÜRJET Contract with Spain for 45 Training Aircraft

Contract Imminent for HÜRJET Aircraft

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) is poised to sign a pivotal contract with Spain for the acquisition of up to 45 HÜRJET advanced jet training aircraft. TUSAŞ President & CEO Mehmet DEMİROĞLU recently announced the company's readiness to finalize the agreement, stating that 'no unresolved issues remain' and the contract 'could be signed within weeks'. This development marks a significant step in modernizing Spain's military aviation capabilities and strengthening defense ties between the two NATO allies.

Strategic Modernization for Spanish Air Force

The procurement, valued at approximately €3.12 billion, is part of a broader €3.7 billion defense spending plan approved by the Spanish government. The HÜRJET aircraft are intended to replace Spain's aging fleet of Northrop F-5M (SF-5M) jets, which currently serve in advanced pilot training roles. The Spanish Ministry of Defense has emphasized that this program will fundamentally renew the country's pilot training capabilities, bringing a 30-year transformation to its training system.

Key aspects of the acquisition include:

• Aircraft Quantity: Up to 45 HÜRJET training aircraft.
• Contract Value: Approximately €3.12 billion.
• Delivery Schedule: Initial deliveries are projected to commence in 2028, with the aircraft entering active service in the 2029/2030 training period.
• Operational Lifespan: The HÜRJET fleet is expected to remain in service for at least 30 years.
• Deployment: The aircraft will be based at Talavera la Real Air Base in Badajoz, Spain.

Industrial Collaboration and HÜRJET Capabilities

The agreement is not merely an aircraft procurement deal but also a model of international industrial cooperation. Airbus Defence & Space will serve as the national coordinator for the program in Spain, with 15 major Spanish aerospace companies, including Aciturri, Aernnova, and Indra, actively participating in adapting the HÜRJET platform to meet the specific requirements of the Spanish Air Force. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-production and sale was signed in May between TUSAŞ, Airbus, and the Spanish Ministry of Defense. The Spanish Ministry of Industry will provide €1.04 billion in credit support for the program.

The HÜRJET, developed by TUSAŞ, is a single-engine, tandem-seat, supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft. Its prototype first flew on April 25, 2023, and two prototypes have since completed 330 test flights, accumulating 228 flight hours. The aircraft has successfully achieved speeds up to Mach 1.01 in test flights. Powered by a General Electric F404-GE-104 afterburning turbofan engine, the HÜRJET is designed to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.4. It boasts a length of 13.7 meters and a wingspan of 9.5 meters, with a payload capacity expanded to 7,500 lbs.

Future Outlook

DEMİROĞLU highlighted the HÜRJET's potential to become a key training aircraft for NATO, noting that Spain's selection, as the second NATO country to choose the HÜRJET, creates a 'serious echo both in Europe and in the world'. This acquisition underscores Türkiye's growing role in the global defense aerospace industry and Spain's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities through strategic international partnerships.