Spain picks Airbus A321 for future SIGINT spy plane fleet

The Spanish Air and Space Force has chosen the Airbus A321 as the platform for its future crewed signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft. 

In an article on airborne early warning (AEW) capabilities, the Revista de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica [the service’s official magazine – ed. note] says a potential national AEW solution would likely be based on an Airbus platform, “since, having chosen the A321 for its SIGINT program (Santiago II-SCAPA), there would be the possibility of extending this program to a national AEW solution.” 

As of October 6, 2026, no formal announcement has been made by Spain’s Ministry of Defense, Airbus, or Indra regarding the selection of the A321. 

A321 emerges from platform definition study 

The aircraft type was expected to emerge from a definition study launched under the Santiago II-SCAPA program. 

Spain’s Council of Ministers authorized the study contract on November 18, 2025, with an estimated value of €16 million and a duration of 18 months from formalization. 

Airbus announced on December 30, 2025, that it and Indra had been selected to determine “the most suitable platform” and SIGINT equipment for a sovereign Spanish solution comprising three aircraft. 

Under the arrangement, Airbus was tasked with proposing an aircraft adapted to Spanish requirements and subsequently modifying it to accommodate a SIGINT system proposed by Indra. 

The manufacturer highlighted its experience converting Airbus A330 aircraft into Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) platforms at Getafe, near Madrid. Spain ordered three A330 MRTTs in 2021. 

Based on the original schedule, the definition study is expected to continue until around mid-2027. The magazine’s reference therefore indicates that the platform decision has been made roughly nine months into the process. 

Three aircraft planned under Santiago II-SCAPA 

The broader framework for the program was set out in Royal Decree 1032/2025, published on November 13, 2025. It describes Santiago as the Spanish Armed Forces’ joint SIGINT system. Classified SECRET, it provides the Chief of Defense Staff with intelligence to support strategic planning and the conduct of military operations. 

The crewed aircraft component is divided into two phases. The first covers assessing viable aircraft and studying how the SIGINT systems can be integrated, without developing hardware. The second phase calls for implementing the SIGINT capability on three aircraft. 

Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism is prefinancing the first phase through a €5.99 million zero-interest loan to a temporary joint venture formed by Airbus Defence and Space and Indra, with funding spread between 2025 and 2027. 

The decree also identifies full national design authority over the aircraft and the integration of its SIGINT systems as an objective, alongside manufacturing in Spain by domestic industry. 

Future Spanish AEW aircraft? 

The Revista de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica places the A321 decision in the context of a possible future Spanish airborne early warning aircraft. 

Its reference suggests that choosing the A321 for Santiago II-SCAPA could create an opportunity to develop a national AEW configuration around the same platform and industrial base. No such AEW program has yet been formally launched. 

Any national effort would develop alongside NATO’s separate program to replace its E-3A AWACS fleet. The Alliance confirmed in July 2026 that the Saab GlobalEye had been selected as the basis for its future airborne surveillance and control capability. 

A321 gaining military roles in Europe 

The Spanish project would add another military special-mission application for Airbus’ A321 family. 

France selected the A321 MPA in February 2025 as the basis for its future maritime patrol aircraft, which will replace the French Navy’s Atlantique 2 fleet. 

While the French aircraft is being developed for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare, Spain’s choice would establish the A321 as the platform for a separate European SIGINT mission and potentially open the way to an AEW derivative. The post Spain picks Airbus A321 for future SIGINT spy plane fleet appeared first on AeroTime.

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