Getafe, December 30, 2025 – The Spanish Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space and Indra Group to conduct a conceptual definition study for the future Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft intended for the Spanish Air and Space Force.
This study, spanning 18 months, will focus on analyzing and defining the optimal platform along with the appropriate signals intelligence equipment. The objective is to establish a national solution involving three aircraft tasked with detecting, tracking, classifying, and identifying targets pertinent to the Spanish Armed Forces.
Airbus Defence and Space will lead the proposal development for an aircraft tailored to meet the specific needs of the Spanish client. In collaboration with Indra, the company will investigate the integration of electronic intelligence and communications intelligence systems. This work represents an essential preliminary phase for defining the subsequent development and implementation of the SIGINT programme.
Following this initial phase, Airbus is expected to make the necessary modifications to the selected aircraft, aimed at implementing and industrializing the signals intelligence system designed by Indra.
With a strong track record in converting commercial aircraft into military variants, exemplified by the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport—which is modified at Airbus’s Getafe facilities—the company brings a wealth of expertise in sensor integration and mission systems across diverse aircraft configurations.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2025-12-29)
