The Spanish Air Force, the F-35 and the characteristics of three possible alternatives

Spain's chances of acquiring the F-35 have received a major cold shower today.

The alternatives to the F-35A for a second fighter aircraft for the Spanish Air Force
The four candidates of the Spanish Air Force to replace its old F-5M

In a meeting with journalists, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (JEMA), Air General Francisco Braco Carbó, has opened the doors to alternatives to the F-35 as a second fighter aircraft model for the Air Combat Command (MACOM), insisting on the need for this second model, claiming that "we have always had two fighter fleets" and that "if a structural failure is detected in one of them, we need another plane to continue flying."

Currently, Spain is only considering new purchases of Eurofighters to replace the EF-18M, which clashes with the need indicated by the JEMA. According to Infobae, Braco's response when asked about the F-35 (an aircraft that seems to be taboo for the Spanish Air Ministry) was the following: "Is there nothing else apart from the F-35? Is France not building planes? Are Korea and Sweden not building planes? There are more options, but we have to see which is the ideal option." In any case, he has indicated that the new aircraft should arrive by 2035.

The JEMA has also pointed out that the Ministry of Defense has the objective of "investing, not spending, in national industry", an objective that Braco shares. Supposedly this is one of the government's reasons for not buying the F-35, but as I have already pointed out on occasion, it would be absurd for Spain to claim a stake in the F-35 program when it has not contributed a single dollar to its development, unlike other European countries, which have contributed astronomical amounts.

It should be noted that a large part of our NATO allies have already opted for this model: the USA, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Romania already operate the F-35, are expecting to receive it or have plans to buy it. These countries are joined by other major operators such as Israel, Australia, South Korea and Japan.

Obviously, when so many countries buy an aircraft, there are reasons to value it positively, and its acquisition by Spain would make us part of a very widespread weapons system and would allow us to share costs and experience with our allies.

If the Spanish government treats the F-35 like an outcast, it is mainly for political reasons: it is an American plane and Spain has a government that is very much leaning towards the far left (it is the only government in the European Union with communist ministers). This explains the complete absurdity of this government being reluctant to use the F-35 (even for the Navy, which has no alternative but the F-35B to replace its Harrier II) and at the same time showing itself willing to buy a Turkish plane that is still in development.

Knowing the current political landscape in Spain, I published some alternatives to the F-35 here in June. I pointed out its advantages and disadvantages. I will now provide some more information, looking at the alternatives of the three countries cited by the JEMA: France, South Korea and Sweden.

Dassault Rafale

This is an excellent French fighter, one of the best fourth-generation fighters on the market. It made its first flight on July 4, 1986, and entered service in 2001. It is a best-seller and has very recent versions that have added improvements to this model. In NATO it is only operated by France, Croatia, and Greece. Its operating cost is about $16,500 per hour, somewhat cheaper than the Eurofighter.

The problem with the Rafale is that it is the most direct competitor of the Eurofighter, which could cause Airbus to be furious if Spain opts for this model, since our country is one of the manufacturers of the Eurofighter. On the other hand, the Rafale does not have stealth capabilities like the F-35. In addition, by buying the French fighter, Spain would be betting on a model that has been in service for more than 20 years.

KAI KF-21 Boramae

It is the South Korean and cheap alternative to the F-35. It made its first flight on July 19, 2022. It has certain advantages over the American fighter that may be useful to Spain, such as the fact that it is a twin-engine model (something suitable, for example, for Spanish fighters stationed in the Canary Islands). The KF-21 has a lower radar signature than other current fighters, which is why it is usually placed in an intermediate generation between the fourth and fifth.

Among its drawbacks, it should be noted that the Boramae is still in the development phase. Its only potential operators today are South Korea and Indonesia, which has reduced its participation in the project. In addition, the Boramae is not a stealth aircraft like the F-35. On the other hand, it is unlikely that Spain will obtain a stake in the project and a technology transfer, since EADS Airbus offered to invest in the Boramae program in 2013 and South Korea acquired the Eurofighter, but withdrew the offer as soon as that country opted for the F-35.

Saab JAS-39 Gripen

This Swedish aircraft is one of the best light fighters on the market and one of my favourites. It is a very manoeuvrable, cheap and easy to maintain aircraft. Its great advantage is that it has the lowest operating cost of all Western fighters: $4,700 per hour. Saab has already launched the JAS-39E version, which has already entered service with the Swedish Air Force. Within NATO it is only used by Sweden, the Czech Republic and Hungary (the UK has a single two-seat Gripen at the Empire Test Pilots' School). Another advantage is that Saab is receptive to sharing technology and manufacturing. As I noted in June, Brazil has reached an agreement to manufacture its own Gripens, so Spain would have a chance of striking a similar deal through Airbus.

The drawbacks? Well, Airbus is unlikely to want to participate in a fighter that is a direct competitor to the Eurofighter. Moreover, the Gripen is classified as an aircraft of that intermediate generation between the fourth and fifth, but it is not a stealth fighter.

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Foto principal: U.S. Air Force. Un F-35A del 495º Escuadrón de Caza de la Fuerza Aérea de Estados Unidos en la base aérea española de Los Llanos, en Albacete, el 15 de septiembre de 2022.