“The Spanish option includes the current Eurofighter and FCAS in the future,” said the Spanish Ministry of Defense in an interview with Politico.
Spanish's decision will be serious A blow to the manufacturer of Lockheed Martin aircraft. Madrid folded non -binding application for information on the F-35 in 2017.
A preliminary amount is provided for in the Spanish budget for 2023 EUR 6.25 billion (PLN 26 billion) for the replacement of Navy and Air Force aircraft.
The navy plans to withdraw from operation Harrier AV8B fighters by 2030 and expressed interest in replacing them with F-35B models in the maritime version, which have already been purchased by the United States and Italy.
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The Air Force also considered the F-35A model as a temporary solution to replace McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet aircraft in anticipation of FCAS.
Madrid's move can exacerbate even more tensions between Spain and the United Statesbecause Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is an avid critic of the new NATO goal in the scope of defense expenditure, of 5 percent. GDP and forced by US President Donald Trump.
