Spain to purchase 30 Turkish HURJET trainer jets in $2.8 billion deal

In a landmark achievement for its defense sector, Türkiye has secured a major contract with Spain for the sale of its nationally developed HURJET jet trainer aircraft. The head of Türkiye's Defense Industries Secretariat, Haluk Gorgun, announced on Monday that Spain will purchase 30 units of the advanced trainer in a comprehensive deal valued at 2.4 billion euros ($2.8 billion).

A Historic Export and Strategic Partnership

Gorgun described the agreement as a "historic export success," noting it is the first time the domestically designed HURJET has been officially selected by a foreign air force—specifically the Spanish Air and Space Forces. "This step is a concrete demonstration of Türkiye's position as a trusted, preferred, and leading exporter in the defense industry," Gorgun stated on the social media platform NSosyal. The fact that a European and NATO member nation is integrating a Turkish-made jet trainer into its inventory underscores the advanced capabilities Türkiye has achieved in design, production, and system integration.

Comprehensive Training Package and Delivery Timeline

The agreement is far more than a simple aircraft sale. Gorgun characterized it as a "high-value-added, multi-dimensional defense industry export package." It includes not only the HURJET jets but also an integrated training architecture featuring advanced combat pilot training systems, ground-based simulators, maintenance infrastructure, and long-term operational support. Deliveries under the program are scheduled to commence in 2028, following a procurement process that saw Spain sign an initial pact in May and authorize the customized system in October.

Significance for Türkiye's Defense Ambitions

The sale represents a significant threshold for Turkish defense exports in terms of both quality and scale. "With HURJET, Türkiye is becoming a structure that produces and exports high technology in the field of air platforms and has a say in the global market," Gorgun emphasized. The HURJET project, which began in August 2017, achieved its maiden flight in April 2023, culminating years of development, assembly, and rigorous testing. This deal solidifies Türkiye's role as a growing global player in the competitive aerospace and defense market.