Airbus Defence & Space has announced the completion of the assembly of the first Eurofighter jet in the latest Tranche 4 version. The aircraft was manufactured at the plant in Getafe, near Madrid, and will be the first of a batch of 20 machines intended for the Spanish Air and Space Force as part of the Halcón I program.

According to official statements from the manufacturer, all necessary procedures have been completed, and the fighter jet is ready for its first engine start and maiden flight — its first flight. Deliveries of the new equipment to the Spanish military will begin later this year.

Strategic Fleet Update for the Canary Islands

The new fighter jets are intended to replace the aging F/A-18A+ Hornets currently serving in the Ala 46 squadron. This unit is based at Gando Air Base, located in the Canary Islands. The archipelago's geographical position in the eastern Atlantic makes it a strategically vital hub through which key maritime and air routes pass.

The arrival of modern aircraft is necessary to strengthen and expand the air defense capabilities of the region. The initial contract, signed in 2021, provides for the delivery of 16 single-seat and 4 two-seat fighters. Notably, in November 2024, Spain already expanded this order by signing the Halcón II program for the delivery of an additional 25 aircraft. Thus, the total volume of the fleet update amounts to 45 new Eurofighters, which will complement the existing 70 machines of previous modifications (Tranche 1, 2, and 3A).

Technological Breakthrough: Next-Generation Radars

The main difference between the Tranche 4 version and its predecessors is the installation of the advanced ECRS Mk 1 AESA radar produced by Hensoldt. Unlike traditional systems with mechanical scanning, a radar with an electronically scanned active phased array (AESA) demonstrates fundamentally different characteristics.

Experts highlight the key advantages of the new system:

  • Range and Accuracy: The radar is capable of detecting and tracking targets at significantly greater distances, doing so faster and with greater accuracy.
  • Operation in Complex Conditions: The system effectively detects objects with low radar cross-sections, as well as targets flying at extremely low altitudes, including over water surfaces.
  • Multitasking and Anti-Jamming: Thanks to high output power, the radar ensures better target selection, the ability to simultaneously track multiple objects, and possesses increased resistance to enemy electronic jamming.

Enhancement of Combat Potential

In addition to sensor equipment, Tranche 4 fighter jets will receive upgraded weapon systems. The arsenal of the machines will include Brimstone III "air-to-ground" missiles and Meteor long-range "air-to-air" missiles, which will be fully integrated into the fire control system.

These technical specifications place the new Eurofighter on par with the most modern fighter jets in the world. For comparison, similar Meteor missiles, capable of striking targets at distances up to 200 kilometers, are considered a key element of armament for other Western fighters, such as the Swedish Gripen, the supply of which is being discussed in the context of aid to other countries.