Will Spain’s exit from US F-35 program open the door for Turkey’s fighter fleet?
As Madrid abandons its F-35 acquisition, some analysts say Turkey’s fifth-generation Kaan could be a medium term addition to Spain's fighter fleet.
After Spain announced its decision to scrap plans to purchase US-made F-35 fighter jets in favor of European programs, Turkey hopes the move could open the door for Madrid to consider its fifth-generation Kaan jet in the medium term.
Spain’s Defense Ministry announced on Aug. 6 that it was scrapping plans to acquire 50 Lockheed Martin F-35s from the United States, confirming earlier reports by El Pais. According to the newspaper, official sources said the decision stemmed from Spain’s intent to prioritize defense spending within the European market, along with concerns over US restrictions on critical technologies, high maintenance costs and sudden price hikes. Instead, Spain will pursue European alternatives to replace some of its aging US- and British-made aircraft.
Though Spain has emphasized that it aims to acquire the Eurofighter and the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Turkish officials and some defense experts believe that ongoing military-industrial cooperation on the Hurjet trainer — combined with potential delays in European programs — could eventually position Turkey’s Kaan as a cost-effective alternative for Madrid’s future fighter needs.
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