Spanish Air and Space Force
The Spanish Air and Space Force, officially known as the "Ejército del Aire," operates as a modern and relatively well-equipped force, although it is constrained by budget limitations. Positioned primarily for national defense and NATO obligations, it also plays a role in international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Spain's geographic location places it in proximity to North Africa and the Middle East, making aerial capabilities essential for both defense and power projection within its strategic sphere of interest.
The Air Force is equipped with a mix of European and American aircraft. The Eurofighter Typhoon and the F/A-18 Hornet make up the backbone of its fighter fleet. These multi-role fighters provide Spain with credible air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. The Air Force also possesses a fleet of Airbus A400M and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, enhancing its tactical and strategic airlift capacities. Aerial refueling capabilities are somewhat limited but are supported by Boeing 707 and Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft.
In terms of training and readiness, Spain has a robust pilot training program but faces the universal challenges of high costs and attrition. Personnel experience varies, with some pilots having combat experience from participating in international coalitions, but the overall level is generally on par with other European nations.
Technologically, the Air Force has made strides in upgrading its capabilities, such as implementing AESA radar systems, but it still has areas to improve, like the integration of new weapon systems and modernization of older platforms. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities exist but could benefit from more advanced unmanned aerial systems.
Strategically, the Spanish Air Force has to balance a wide range of responsibilities including territorial defense, NATO commitments, and international operations. Its budget constraints mean that it often has to prioritize immediate operational requirements over long-term modernization plans. It is also reliant on international partnerships for both hardware and operational support, often limiting its autonomy in strategic decision-making.
Key facts
| Official Name | Spanish Air and Space Force |
| Local Name | Ejército del Aire |
| Country | 🇪🇸 Spain |
| World rank | #25 |
| Active aircrafts | 517 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 97 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 171 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 152 | |
| Helicopters | 126 | |
| Transport | 53 | |
| Special missions | 15 | |
Aircrafts most used by Spanish air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| F/A-18 Hornet | 84 | American multirole fighter, prominent during the Gulf War, extensively deployed for ground-attack, fleet defense, and close air support missions. | |
| Typhoon | 68 | European multirole fighter, renowned for service in multinational military operations since late 20th century, noted for superior air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. | |
| C-101 Aviojet | 41 | Spanish jet trainer and light attack aircraft, deployed in the late 20th century, notably utilized by the Chilean and Spanish Air Forces. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 41 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
| T-35 Pillan | 34 | Chilean trainer aircraft, popular in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for military pilot training worldwide. | |
| PC-21 | 24 | Swiss trainer aircraft, known for deployments in military aviation schools around the world since the early 21st century. | |
| EC665 Tiger | 23 | German-French attack helicopter, primarily deployed in Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali for anti-armor, fire support, and reconnaissance missions. | |
| NH90 | 21 | European multinational medium-sized military helicopter, known for deployment in various peace-keeping and combat missions since the 1990s. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 20 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| F-5 Freedom Fighter | 19 | American light fighter of Cold War era, notable for worldwide deployment, used extensively in Vietnam and various regional conflicts. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Spanish Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | EF-18M/F/A-18A | 72 | |
| Eurofighter | 68 | 20 | |
| Helicopters | H215M/AS332 | 12 | |
| NH90 (TTH) | 6 | 6 | |
| Special missions | CN235 (MPA) | 8 | |
| C212 (MPA) | 3 | ||
| P-3M (MPA) | 2 | ||
| CN235 (Recce) | 1 | ||
| Falcon 20 (EW) | 1 | ||
| Training | H135 | 11 | |
| C-101 | 41 | ||
| T-35 | 34 | ||
| PC-21 | 24 | ||
| F-5M | 19 | ||
| H120 | 14 | ||
| EF-18BM/F/A-18B | 12 | ||
| S-76 | 8 | ||
| Transport | C295/CN235 | 20 | |
| A400M | 13 | 14 | |
| C212 | 8 | ||
| Citation V | 3 | ||
| King Air 90 | 3 | ||
| A330 | 2 | 1 |
Spanish Army
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | H215M/AS332/532 | 29 | |
| Tiger | 23 | ||
| NH90 (TTH) | 15 | 10 | |
| CH-47D/F | 8 | 13 | |
| Bell 212 | 6 | ||
| Training | H135 | 12 |
Spanish Naval Aviation
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | EAV-8B+ | 12 | |
| Helicopters | NH90 (NFH) | 7 | |
| S-70/SH-60B/F/MH-60R | 14 | 8 | |
| Bell 212 | 7 | ||
| S-61/SH-3H | 6 | ||
| Training | H135 | 7 | |
| MD500 | 6 | ||
| TAV-8B | 1 | ||
| Transport | Citation II/VII | 4 |