IFC 2026: Spain to extend Hornets to bridge fifth-generation gap as it reconsiders future options

With no F-35 procurement now planned, Spain is to extend its Hornets (pictured) in service to maintain a two-type combat fleet alongside the Eurofighter EF-2000 until the arrival in the 2040s of whatever sixth-generation aircraft it decides to develop. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio - EdA) is to extend the service life of its Boeing EF-18 Hornet combat aircraft as a bridge to span its projected “fifth-generation gap” as it now reconsiders its longer-term sixth-generation options following the recent collapse of the New Generation Fighter (NGF) it was developing with France and Germany.

Speaking under the Chatham House Rule at the IQPC International Fighter Conference (IFC) 2026 in Munich, an official said that the Hornets that were due to be retired in 2030 will now instead be retired in a phased manner from 2035 to 2040. This, he explained, will support the requirement to maintain a two-type combat fleet to serve alongside the Eurofighter EF-2000 now that the service has decided not to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. While this is happening, the EdA is now weighing its long-term options for the 2040+ timeframe.

“The arrival of the [20] new Halcon I Eurofighters has enabled us to retire our legacy Hornet aircraft in the Canary Island this summer [Q3], and looking ahead the [25] Halcon II Eurofighters will allow us to retire approximately half of the remaining [91] Hornets, while continuing the modernisation of our combat air capabilities,” the official said, noting that the remaining approximately 45 Hornets will cover the period that had until recently been earmarked for a potential F-35 procurement. A briefing slide indicated that a Halcon III buy of additional Eurofighters might also help maintain fighter numbers.