The Spanish Ministry of Defence has selected Airbus Defence and Space to lead the development and implementation of the Spanish Air and Space Force’s new Integrated Combat Training System (ITS-C) programme. The programme aims for a comprehensive transformation centred on the HÜRJET Jet Training Aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace.
HÜRJET to Replace the F-5s
The main objective of the contract, jointly carried out by Airbus as Spain’s national coordinator and Turkish Aerospace as the manufacturer of HÜRJET, is defined as replacing the existing F-5 aircraft fleet and meeting the entire advanced training process of Spanish combat pilots within an integrated structure.
Within the scope of the programme:
- Procurement of 30 HÜRJET Jet Training Aircraft from Turkish Aerospace
- Conversion of the fleet in line with Spanish national content requirements
- Establishment of an Aircraft Conversion Centre in Spain
- Modernisation of the Fighter and Attack School Training Centre located at Talavera la Real Air Base in Extremadura
- Provision of an integrated operations and maintenance support services package at the base
are included.
Programme to Be Implemented in Two Phases
The ITS-C programme will be implemented simultaneously in two main phases.
First phase;
Delivery of 30 aircraft with the initial configurations of the HÜRJET Jet Training Aircraft, certification processes in Spain, and deliveries to the customer between 2028 and 2029.
Second phase;
Focuses on the conversion of the 30 aircraft with Spanish national content and their subsequent delivery. Deliveries in this phase are planned to be completed from the second half of 2031 until 2035.
Spain to Be the Centre of the Conversion
Under the programme, the conversion of the first two HÜRJET aircraft will be carried out at Airbus facilities in Getafe. The remaining 28 aircraft will be converted at a programme-specific Conversion Centre to be established in Spain.
Airbus: “Spanish Sovereignty Will Be Secured”
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, made the following statement regarding the programme:
“This ambitious programme aims to create a state-of-the-art combat training system that meets the urgent needs of the Spanish Air and Space Force. At the same time, by increasing national industrial participation, return on investment and capability development, it will secure Spanish sovereignty throughout the entire process.”
Spanish Industry at the Heart of the Programme
As part of the national conversion activities, many Spanish technology and defence companies are planned to be involved in the programme. These activities will focus on critical areas such as:
- Mission and training systems
- Remote interface units
- Audio management systems
- Avionics computers
- Mission recording systems
- Weapons simulators
New Ground-Based Training Centre at Talavera la Real
As one of the key pillars of the programme, a new Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) is planned to be established at Talavera la Real Air Base in 2028. The centre, to be set up under Airbus leadership with the participation of Spanish industry, will include:
- Two mission simulators
- Virtual reality simulators
- Computer-based training infrastructure
- Multi-purpose training halls
The new integrated combat training system will also include a comprehensive service and support package aimed at ensuring the highest availability of the aircraft fleet and the efficient operation of the Training Centre, including ground training.
