Spain will not move forward with the acquisition of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, choosing instead to pursue European-made aircraft, the Spanish defense ministry announced Wednesday, confirming earlier reporting by El Pais.
The decision reflects ongoing tensions between Spain and the United States, particularly following Madrid’s rejection of former President Donald Trump’s push to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
According to unnamed officials cited by El Pais, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s left-leaning government has shelved plans to procure F-35 jets and is shifting its focus to European alternatives.
A total of €6.25 billion ($7.25 billion) had been set aside in the 2023 national budget for new fighter jets, and reports from British defense outlet Janes indicated that up to 50 F-35s were under consideration.
However, the government has now redirected much of the €10.5 billion in new defense funding announced this year toward other priorities, effectively eliminating the F-35 from contention.
The F-35 is developed by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
The ministry said Spain will consider the Eurofighter as well as aircraft under development through the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a collaboration between Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and other European partners.
Although Sanchez has committed to reaching NATO’s defense spending benchmark of 2% of GDP by 2024, he has resisted longer-term demands to increase that figure to 5%, a stance that triggered tariff threats from Trump.
