The United States government has authorized the possible sale of a logistics support package for the EF-18 Hornet fighter jets currently in service with the Spanish Air and Space Force. The operation, recently notified by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for approval, falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and is valued at USD 200 million.
Since 1986, having emerged as the winner of the FACA Program (Future Fighter and Attack Aircraft), the McDonnell Douglas EF-18 Hornet has been one of the pillars of the combat aviation capabilities of the Spanish Air and Space Force. Currently operating within the structure of Wings 12, 15, and 46, based at Torrejón de Ardoz, Zaragoza, and Gando air bases respectively, the aircraft represented an unparalleled technological leap for the service at the time of its introduction.
However, nearly forty years after its entry into service, the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Air and Space Force have already defined that its gradual retirement will begin in the coming years, as progress is made toward the future incorporation of Eurofighter Tranche 4 aircraft arising from the Halcón I and II programs.
Nevertheless, while this process unfolds, the EF-18s continue to provide outstanding and valuable service to Spain, as well as to European and NATO allies, as evidenced by the recent deployments of C.15 aircraft to Lithuania as part of the Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment (DAT), carried out by aircrews and aircraft from Wing 15.
To this end, the Spanish government has been requesting from the United States the acquisition of various logistics support packages for the EF-18 in order to ensure their current and future operational availability.
Against this background, on December 23, and according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Spain requested the purchase of various components to sustain the F404 engines that power the EF-18s, in an operation valued at USD 200 million.
This package consists of a total of two hundred (200) engine fan blades (engine fans) for the aforementioned engines. It also includes components intended to support the aircraft’s radar operation, as indicated by the inclusion of CP-1325/APG-65 and R-2089/APG-65 units.
It should be noted, first, that this request submitted by the Spanish government adds to a previous case involving fifty (50) engine fans, which, combined with the newly authorized purchase, brings the total to two hundred fifty (250) of these components; and second, that the items will be sourced from U.S. Navy stockpiles.
Finally, the State Department stated: “The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
Adding: “The proposed sale will improve Spain’s capability to meet current and future threats and will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and other allied forces. The enhanced capability will also strengthen its homeland defense. Spain will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
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