Airbus And Indra Selected For Spanish SIGINT Aircraft Concept Study
Spain's Ministry of Defence has picked Airbus Defence and Space and Indra Group for an 18-month conceptual study on a future three-aircraft signals intelligence fleet for the Spanish Air and Space Force.
Airbus said that Airbus Defence and Space and Indra Group have been chosen by the Spanish Ministry of Defence to conduct a conceptual definition study for a future Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft for the Spanish Air and Space Force. The announcement was dated Getafe, Dec. 30, 2025.
The study will run for 18 months. It will analyze and define the most suitable platform and signals intelligence equipment for a national solution built around three aircraft. The aircraft are meant to detect, track, classify and identify targets of interest to the Spanish Armed Forces.
Airbus Defence and Space will prepare a proposal for an aircraft tailored to the needs of the Spanish customer. Together with Indra, it will examine how to integrate electronic intelligence and communications intelligence systems. This is a preliminary step before defining the development and implementation of the programme.
In a later phase, Airbus is expected to make the modifications needed on the selected aircraft to implement and industrialise the signals intelligence system proposed by Indra.
Airbus pointed to its extensive experience in converting commercial aircraft into military ones. One example is the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, which is converted at its Getafe facilities. The company also cited its broad knowledge of integrating sensors and mission systems into different aircraft configurations.