The Council of Ministers has authorized the award of a contract to acquire short-range IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, with an estimated value of €104.3 million. The weapons will be deployed on the Air and Space Force’s EF-18 and Eurofighter fighter-bombers.
The operation is intended to replenish and maintain inventories of the weapons system. The Council of Ministers’ statement describes the IRIS-T stockpile as a strategic priority tied to the availability of combat units and the operational capability of Spain’s military aviation.
The IRIS-T is integrated into the EF-18Ms stationed at the Torrejón and Zaragoza air bases, as well as into the Eurofighters. It can receive target designation through the aircraft’s radar or the pilot’s helmet.
A program with Spanish participation
The missile, designed by German company Diehl, uses infrared imaging guidance and is intended to engage highly maneuverable targets, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aircraft. It weighs 87.4 kilograms and operates on a “fire-and-forget” basis.
Spain approved the purchase of 770 units in 2009 for nearly €250 million to replace AIM-9L Sidewinders. Spanish company Sener participates in the program as the supplier of the flight-control system actuators and the missiles’ wings. The project is led by Germany and also involves Spain, Italy, Greece, Sweden, and Norway.
