PUBLISHED on August 6, 2025, 18:54 – Key Points and Summary – Spain has formally abandoned plans to acquire the American F-35 stealth fighter, opting instead to go “all-in” on the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation program.
-While the move provides a much-needed political and financial boost to the embattled European initiative, it creates a serious, decade-long capability gap for the Spanish Navy.
-With its fleet of AV-8B Harrier “jump jets” retiring by 2030, and no other modern short-takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft available besides the F-35B, Spain’s aircraft carrier will be left without any compatible fighter jets.
Sorry, F-35: Spain Goes All-In On Europe’s Embattled FCAS Program
Spain has formally abandoned plans to acquire the U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, suspending all preliminary procurement plans and opting instead to deepen its commitment to European defense programs, according to a report by newspaper El País, which cited government sources.
Madrid issued a non-binding Request for Information on the platform in 2017, and its 2023 defense budget earmarked €6.25 billion for new aircraft to replace Navy and Air Force aircraft with advanced platforms.
The Spanish defense ministry told POLITICO that those funds will now be redirected toward the Eurofighter program and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint Franco-German-Spanish sixth-generation fighter initiative expected to produce a new platform by 2040.
The move is a setback for Lockheed Martin, which had positioned the F-35 as an ideal interim solution until the FCAS program delivers.
It also threatened to deepen political tensions between Madrid and Washington, already strained by Prime Minister Sánchez’s rejection of a proposed NATO-wide 5% GDP defense spending target that U.S. President Donald Trump has heavily pushed.
What About Spain’s Aircraft Carrier?
Some warn that the timing of the announcement raises operational concerns for the Spanish Navy as well, owing to the planned retirement of its AV-8B Harriers by 2030.
Beyond the F-35B, the only modern Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) fighter in production, there is no realistic short-term replacement for the aircraft once retired.
Spain now faces the risk of becoming the last operator of the AV-8B, which would bring a range of issues related to logistical support, maintenance, and limited access to spare parts.
Anticipating future problems, Naval officials have reportedly tasked shipbuilder Navantia, Spain’s leading state-owned vessel manufacturer, with studying a new aircraft carrier design that could accommodate conventional naval fighters such as the Rafale M. However, plans to build a new carrier that features a more extended flight deck and arrestor gear remain in the exploratory phase and would not bridge the decade-long gap after the Harriers are retired.
Good News for FCAS?
Spain’s decision to walk away from the F-35 should be welcome news for the embattled FCAS program.
With Belgium under fire for trying to play both sides – funding Europe’s sixth-generation project while buying American stealth jets – Madrid’s rejection of Lockheed Martin sends a very different signal. It provides much-needed security to the European program.
Disputes over workshare, leadership, and politics have already rocked the €100 billion initiative.
Now, with observer states like Belgium reconsidering their role in the project – which, as I wrote previously, could threaten the program’s future – Spain’s decision could incentivize contracted European manufacturers Dassault and Airbus to keep it moving.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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topol
August 7, 2025 at 6:22 am
Spain’s not going to war with anybody anytime soon.
So need for any f-35s. Nobody’s interested in fighting Spain.
Except the anglos who always have had a hangup with this somebody and that somebody.
So, to handle the anglos, buy or get some nukes.
Destroy the anglos who are known for their inbreeding.
With the acquired nukes.