The hypothesis of the F-35 in Spain grows on the tensions around the FCAS program

On the occasion of the International Fighter Conference in London 2021, a confession from an executive director of Lockheed-Martin to the specialized magazine Defense Janes caused a certain stir within the FCAS program bringing together Germany, Spain and France for the design of the replacement for combat aircraft Rafale et Typhoon, as well as its adjoining systems, by 2040. According to the reference magazine, Madrid had in fact undertaken to negotiate discreetly with the American manufacturer the acquisition of 50 F-35s, 25 in version B with vertical takeoff and landing or short to replace the AV-8B Harrier II arming the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos, and 25 in version A based on land to partly replace the F/A-18 Hornet in service with the Spanish air forces. At that time, Paris and Berlin were still opposed to the acquisition of the F-35, with the aircraft being perceived as a direct threat to the European aeronautical industry. In fact, a few days later, the Spanish Ministry of Defense published a vigorous denial, swearing to the gods that no such negotiations were taking place.

Since then, a considerable volume of water has flowed under the bridges. On the one hand, Berlin officially turned to the F-35A to replace its Tornado planes ensuring the nuclear sharing mission within NATO, by ordering 35 F-35A capable of carrying the new nuclear bomb B- 61Mod12 American. At the same time, the FCAS program entered a zone of great turbulence, against a backdrop of fierce opposition between Dassault Aviation and Airbus DS as to the piloting of the 1st pillar of the program, that which must precisely design the new generation combat aircraft. , or NGF according to the English acronym retained by the program. As a result, the FCAS is now at a standstill, and the initial schedule which aimed to enter service before 2040 is very largely compromised, by the admission of the CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier, not to mention the threats of more and more sensitive which weigh on the continuation of the program itself. Finally, several other European air forces have, in the meantime, come out in favor of the American aircraft, including Finland, Greece and the Czech Republic, making the aircraft a de facto standard within NATO. .

Under these conditions, it is hardly surprising that the General Staff of the Spanish Air Force decided, according to the daily El Pais, in favor of the F-35A to replace the F/A-18 within it, even if a few months ago, Madrid had ordered 20 Eurofighters Typhoon to replace the Hornets which today provide air protection for the Canary Islands. According to the Spanish military, the F-18s in service will have to be replaced before the first FCAS are delivered, forcing them to turn to an alternative solution that is actually available. In this area, still according to the Spanish General Staff, the F-35 is without any other comparison the best aircraft, far superior to the Eurofighter Typhoon in many areas, not to mention the benefits of standardization vis-à-vis other European air forces. The acquisition of F-35As would also improve the sustainability of maintenance of the F-35Bs which will be acquired to replace the embarked Harriers, no other alternative being available for this specific need. Finally, the last argument put forward is that it is much more prudent and efficient to have a fighter fleet that does not rely on a single aircraft.

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