Turkey and Spain have agreed to develop a joint variant of the Hürjet light attack aircraft, marking a significant expansion of defense cooperation between the two countries. During the opening ceremony of the Ida Turkey Defense and Aerospace Industrial Cooperation Days in Ankara on October 15, 2026, Haluk Görgün, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), highlighted Spain's selection of the Hürjet as the most prominent example of bilateral defense partnership. The collaboration will integrate contributions from Spanish subcontractors and incorporate additional certifications to create a platform suitable for both nations.

Initial production and delivery of the Hürjet will be handled by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), with subsequent variants incorporating Spanish industrial input and localized modifications. The platform will first meet Spain's operational requirements before being offered to other NATO members and friendly nations. This cooperative manufacturing model demonstrates Turkey's commitment to multilateral defense partnerships while strengthening industrial ties across Europe. The arrangement reflects a broader trend in NATO procurement toward collaborative development of defense platforms.

The Hürjet is a domestically designed light attack and trainer aircraft developed by TUSAŞ, offering low operational costs, high maneuverability, and multi-role capability. The platform features advanced avionics, modern weapons integration, and NATO-standard architecture, making it an attractive solution for small and medium-sized air forces. The Spanish variant will benefit from localized industrial contributions, enhancing platform customization and technology transfer between the two nations. This approach strengthens the industrial base of both countries while ensuring the aircraft meets specific operational and certification requirements.

Turkey's defense sector has undergone significant transformation in recent years, transitioning from direct procurement to indigenous design and platform exports. According to Görgün, Turkey's defense exports exceeded $7.4 billion this year, matching the previous year's total. The sector comprises more than 4,000 companies and nearly 130,000 employees, with an average workforce age of 34. These figures underscore Turkey's growing role as a global defense technology provider and manufacturer.

The Hürjet project complements Turkey's broader defense ecosystem, which includes the KAAN fighter aircraft, BAYKAR Bayraktar TB2/TB3 unmanned aerial vehicles, and ROKETSAN missile systems. The joint development model with Spain deepens cooperation within European defense industries while expanding Turkey's technological capabilities and export potential. The participation of Spain's Valencia region, with its industrial clusters spanning aerospace and emerging technologies, will accelerate industrial integration and technology sharing between the two nations, creating a competitive advantage in the international defense market.