Signatures were signed for the export of HÜRJET to Spain.

08.05.2026 18:21

A signing ceremony was held at Airbus facilities in Madrid regarding the export of HÜRJET, the national jet trainer aircraft produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), to Spain.

Turkey's defense industry has achieved another major export success in aviation. The official process for the inclusion of Turkey's first national jet trainer aircraft, HÜRJET, produced by TAI, into the Spanish Air Force inventory was completed with a signing ceremony held at Airbus facilities in Madrid.

The ceremony was attended by TAI officials, Spanish defense procurement authorities, and Airbus representatives. Under the signed contract, HÜRJET will take its place in European skies to meet the training aircraft needs of the Spanish Air Force.

CRITICAL THRESHOLD CROSSED IN THE EUROPEAN MARKET

The export of HÜRJET to Spain holds strategic importance as it is the first large-scale jet aircraft sale by Turkish aviation platforms in the high-tech segment to a European Union and NATO member country. This cooperation is expected to elevate the defense industry partnership between Turkey and Spain to a new level.

NEW ACTOR IN MODERN JET TRAINING: HÜRJET

HÜRJET, featuring a single engine, tandem seats, and modern avionics suites, has been designed as a critical "jet transition training" aircraft for modern combat aircraft with its superior performance characteristics. Standing out in Spain's project to renew its existing trainer aircraft fleet, HÜRJET, with its multi-role structure, can perform not only training but also light attack and aerobatic display missions.

This success of TAI is expected to set a reference for other potential customers of HÜRJET in the global market and increase its export potential.

"THIS IS A BEGINNING"

The signing ceremony, held at Airbus's facilities in the Getafe district of Madrid, was attended by TAI and Airbus officials, along with Defense Industry Agency President Haluk Görgün, Spanish Ministry of Defense Secretary of State Maria Amparo Valcarce Garcia, Turkey's Ambassador to Madrid Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, and high-ranking military officials from both countries.

The agreement was signed by Görgün, Spanish Ministry of Defense Director General of Armament and Material Admiral Aniceto Rosique, Airbus Defence and Space Air Power Head Jean Brice Dumont, Defense Industry Agency Vice President Gökhan Uçar, and TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu.

Speaking at the ceremony, Görgün said, "This is not an end but a beginning," emphasizing that this agreement will further strengthen the bond between Turkey and Spain in every sense.

"WE ARE ANNOUNCING THE AGREEMENT TO THE WHOLE WORLD"

In a statement to an AA reporter after the signing of the agreement, Görgün said, "The Spanish Ministry of Defense, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, and the Defense Industry Agency, along with TAI and AIRBUS, had actually already signed the official agreement a while ago for this program we have been working on for a long time. Today, we are here in Spain upon the ministry's invitation to jointly announce this official signing. As of today, we are announcing this agreement to the whole world."

Expressing satisfaction with the international recognition of the land, naval, and air platforms that have emerged from the will and support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and confidence in Turkish engineering, Görgün stated, "While meeting the needs of our own security forces, with their contributions, we have a sector that produces the most optimized, best-functioning, and cost-effective solutions. Thank God, as of today, we are working synergistically and harmoniously with our main integrators, supporting subcontractors, SMEs, and universities."

Noting that these efforts are yielding results, Görgün said, "Turkey has announced its success in the defense field to the world with the products it produces in many areas. The success, especially in unmanned aerial vehicles, has demonstrated Turkey's capability and talent in this field, while also contributing to our country's strategic and diplomatic relations."

Görgün provided the following information about the signed agreement:

"Through this partnership with Airbus, which we carried out together with TAI, part of the HÜRJET platform, which will be used to train pilots of combat aircraft, will be produced in Turkey and delivered to Spain. Another part will be produced in Spain, and for the parts to be produced in Turkey and Spain, a model has been created with contributions from local manufacturers in Spain, forming a program that will serve as an example of a true alliance cooperation and agreement satisfactory to both Turkey and Spain in every aspect. With this program, we find it meaningful not only as a success and expression of will by Turkey and Spain but also as an exemplary cooperation for NATO allies, in terms of being marketable to other countries, third countries, and enabling the joint development of next-generation products."

"Of course, the success at the platform level demonstrated by our companies here, the models they have developed for international cooperation and trade development, along with our support as the Defense Industry Agency, have yielded such positive results."

Defense Industry Agency President Görgün thanked Turkey's Ambassador to Madrid Nüket Küçükel Ezberci for her extensive contributions to this agreement.

Ambassador Ezberci stated, "Relations between Spain and Turkey have gained momentum in every field in recent years and continue to progress rapidly. The engine of this has been the defense industry. But in our trade relations as well, our trade volume, starting from 19.3, has reached 26.6 billion dollars. We are two Mediterranean countries. We protect and safeguard both East and West together."

"TURKEY, A TRUSTWORTHY FRIEND"

Spanish Defense Secretary of State Maria Amparo Valcarce Garcia, in her speech at the ceremony, said, "Embarking on this journey with Turkey, a trustworthy friend, is very important. Innovation alone is not enough; it is important to realize it on time and with good partners. This agreement is the result of strategic and sustainable planning. This project will give new momentum to our defense industry."

Expressing her thanks to Turkey, Garcia said, "Turkey's cooperation in this project is indispensable for us and provides confidence."

Emphasizing that Spain's defense spending has reached 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP), Garcia said, 'The training aircraft is part of these plans and is a key program. The training aircraft project alone is not sufficient. This is also very important in terms of investment, commitment, cooperation, and unity with Turkey, a friendly and allied country. This project, which will replace the F-5s, is important for our sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and achieving a competitive position to meet the needs of the 21st century.'

'THE AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY IS LONG-TERM, ITS PATH IS FILLED WITH LIGHT'

Marta Nogueira, Head of Airbus Defense and Space Spain, also said, 'This is not just a strategic cooperation. It is a product of mutual trust and shared vision. Our military defense industry will mutually develop extraordinarily. This agreement with Turkey is a long-term, bright-path-filled, very big challenge. It will mark a significant turning point not just between countries but also between sectors.'

Jean Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defense and Space, said, 'An agreement with a pioneering spirit in the sector has been signed. This will be a transition point.'

Dumont announced that under the project, Hürjet aircraft will start arriving in 2028, will be put into use in the 2029-2030 training courses, and a total of 30 aircraft will be in inventory during the 2030-2035 period.

Dumont said, 'Turkey's participation is indispensable for us, but this project is not a turnkey aircraft project,' noting that the project is highly open to development and will provide employment for 2,500 people.

PRAISE FOR TURKEY FROM SPANISH COMPANIES

Meanwhile, representatives of Spanish companies in the defense sector participating in the project also drew attention to the magnitude of the partnership and project with Turkey in their speeches.

Rafael Junco from Indra said, 'This is a locomotive project that will set an example,' and Alfredo Lopez Diez, Representative of ITP Defense Engineering Company, said, 'We have been working with Turkey for over 20 years. Turkish engineers have extraordinary capacity.'