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Getafe, Spain, April 28, 2026 – A coalition led by Airbus has unveiled the industrial programme for the Spanish Air and Space Force’s new Integrated Combat Training System (ITS-C). Awarded a contract in December 2025, the initiative aims to replace the existing fleet of F-5 aircraft with a commitment of 60% participation from national industry.
The ITS-C programme stems from a co-development arrangement between Airbus, serving as the prime contractor, and Turkish Aerospace (TA), the manufacturer of the HÜRJET training aircraft. It encompasses the comprehensive advanced training process for Spanish fighter pilots, which includes the Spanish-specific customization of a 30-aircraft fleet, designated nationally as the SAETA II, as well as the provision of an integrated suite of operational and maintenance services.
Airbus will also oversee the transformation and integration of new equipment within the aircraft and lead the redesign of the Fighter and Strike School Training Centre located at the Talavera la Real Air Base in Extremadura, Spain. This centre will feature advanced simulators developed in partnership with Indra, designed to support operations and maintenance of both the aircraft and synthetic training systems, thereby maximizing fleet availability.
Marta Nogueira, Head of Business Spain at Airbus Defence and Space, remarked, “As a result of this national programme, Spain achieves three strategic milestones: we ensure technology transfer in key areas, we obtain a deep-reaching industrial return, and, above all, we provide the programme with the strategic sovereignty and independence necessary to manage the sustainment and any future evolution of the system.”
Spanish Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce, underscored the programme’s robust national component, stating, “It is a project that mobilises our industry, generates knowledge, employment, and opportunities throughout the entire value chain.” She further noted the industry’s capability to engage in the development of complex systems, asserting that the initiative “strengthens our strategic autonomy by allowing us to design, integrate, and evolve our own capabilities, reducing critical dependencies.”
Phased Implementation: “Brain” Modification and National Standardization
The initial phase is slated to commence in 2028, focusing on the delivery of an initial batch of 21 aircraft. One of these aircraft will serve as a prototype at Airbus for the integration of next-generation avionics and mission equipment. Meanwhile, efforts will be made to develop a ground-based training system, expected to become operational during the 2029-2030 academic year.
In the subsequent phase, all 21 aircraft, along with an additional nine on order, will undergo conversion to meet Spanish standards, which includes upgrading the simulators to this new specification. Deliveries for the completed Spanish variant SAETA II, along with the ground-based training system, are intended for the period between 2031 and 2035.
Technological Sovereignty and National Integration
Under Airbus’s leadership, Spanish industry will take charge of maintaining, updating, and evolving this fleet independently. Beyond manufacturing primary components, electrical wiring, and the establishment of the conversion center, Spanish companies will integrate crucial national technologies into the avionics and mission systems. Key players in this integration include GMV (responsible for Inertial/GPS and mission computer), Sener (DataLink), Aertec (remote interface unit), Grupo Oesía (audio management), Orbital (VMDR mission recorder), and Indra (Identification Friend or Foe system).
For further information about the Spanish Air and Space Force’s new combat training system, click here.
To access audiovisual content, click here.
@AirbusDefence @EjercitoAire @DefensaGob
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Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2026-04-27)
