Spain has launched a plan to future-proof its Eurofighter fleet, combining new aircraft orders with an upgrade strategy designed to keep the jet operationally relevant for decades. Anchored by the Halcón program, the initiative is intended to expand the Spanish Air and Space Force’s Eurofighter inventory to 115 aircraft and equip them with advanced technologies for modern warfare. The goal is to preserve the aircraft’s combat relevance through 2060, as air operations increasingly rely on connected sensors and coordination between crewed aircraft and uncrewed systems.
The Halcón program has two phases: Halcón I, covering 20 new fighters, and Halcón II, adding another 25. The second phase includes 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2035. These new jets will gradually replace part of Spain’s aging F-18 fleet. They will feature E-Scan electronically scanned array radar, advanced avionics, upgraded sensors and improved connectivity. Information from Talent24h, the Ministry of Defence has pressed industry partners to meet strict performance and delivery targets for the first Halcón I aircraft.
P4E: Enhanced Combat Capabilities
The next step in Eurofighter development is the Phase 4 Improvement (P4E) package. It will introduce new weapon-integration options and the Striker II digital helmet, which projects mission data onto the pilot’s visor. Its color display incorporates integrated night vision. P4E also adds automated sensor management, allowing the AESA radar to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while reducing pilot workload.
Further improvements include a redesigned cockpit interface and upgraded radiofrequency communications, along with enhancements to the DASS defensive suite, which detects threats and manages countermeasures. These upgrades can be installed during production of new jets or retrofitted to existing aircraft as part of modernization work. Together, the cockpit, sensor and defensive-system changes are intended to help pilots process information and respond to threats in increasingly networked operations.
New Aerodynamic Kit for Agility and Payload
Alongside P4E, a new aerodynamic kit will modify basic sections of the wings and their junction with the fuselage. The changes are intended to increase the jet’s angle of attack and improve maneuverability, while expanding payload flexibility for sensors, weapons and external equipment. The kit also allows asymmetric loadouts between the wings, offering greater operational flexibility. Germany has already committed to the upgrade, and Spain is considering adopting it for both Halcón and Tranche 3 Eurofighters.
LTE: Preparing for the Next Generation
The most impressive step will be the Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture. It introduces an open avionics system that separates flight-critical controls from mission systems, making it easier to integrate new technologies as they emerge. Planned upgrades include new mission and flight-control computers. The package also covers advanced communications and improved weapons management, alongside a redesigned cockpit that may feature a larger touchscreen for more intuitive operation.
LTE is designed to let the Eurofighter operate alongside future sixth-generation fighters and unmanned collaborative combat aircraft. The first phase of LTE development is underway, with service entry targeted for the second half of the 2030s, pending agreements among Spain, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The longer-term concept reflects a shift toward air forces in which crewed fighters share information and coordinate missions with uncrewed platforms.
With these upgrades, Spain aims to keep the Eurofighter basic to its air defense and European military aviation through 2060. The modernization reflects a broader effort among NATO allies to extend the capabilities of existing aircraft while preparing them to integrate next-generation systems and autonomous assets.
