Airbus Defence new SIRTAP tactical drone prepares for first flight-test campaign to Spain in 2026
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According to information published on the Airbus Defence official X account on September 4, 2025, the first prototype of the SIRTAP high capability tactical unmanned aerial system has completed a demanding phase of ground testing and is now fully painted in its operational configuration. Airbus confirmed that the prototype aircraft and its associated ground control station will soon be transferred to the Spanish Unmanned Systems Test Centre in Huelva. A comprehensive flight-test campaign will then be conducted throughout 2026, leading to the planned delivery of the first system to the Spanish armed forces in 2027.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The first Airbus SIRTAP tactical unmanned aerial system prototype rolls out in full paint after an intensive summer of ground testing, marking the start of preparations for its upcoming flight campaign in Spain. (Picture source: Airbus Defence)
The SIRTAP program, developed by Airbus Defence in close partnership with Spain, fills a crucial operational gap between lightweight tactical drones and larger medium-altitude long-endurance platforms. Designed for up to 20 hours of endurance and equipped with advanced electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and secure communications, the system is intended to deliver reliable intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities. Airbus has also hinted at a future armed configuration, which could significantly expand its mission set.
In the current global UAV market, SIRTAP will inevitably be compared to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and the Israeli Hermes 450, both of which have proven themselves in active combat. The TB2 is praised for its cost-effectiveness and precision strike capability, while the Hermes 450 has long been a benchmark for endurance and operational maturity. Unlike these platforms, SIRTAP emphasizes integration with NATO-standard systems and seeks to position itself as a European solution with enhanced interoperability and logistical support for allied nations.
Spain’s decision to become the launch customer reflects a strategic move to strengthen sovereign drone capabilities while reducing reliance on non-European suppliers. With SIRTAP, Madrid also aims to enhance its defense industry footprint and secure export opportunities within Europe and beyond. If the upcoming flight campaign proves successful, Airbus will be well placed to challenge established players in the tactical UAS market, particularly among countries seeking advanced yet cost-effective alternatives to U.S., Turkish, and Israeli systems.
The entry into service of SIRTAP by 2027 could mark a turning point for European UAV development. By combining endurance, modular payload options, and NATO-standard connectivity, the system may provide European armed forces with a new level of autonomy in tactical drone operations. This program could also pave the way for further industrial cooperation across Europe, reinforcing Airbus’ role as a key player in the defense drone sector.
Beyond intelligence and reconnaissance, the SIRTAP is designed to take on direct combat support roles once armed versions are fielded. The drone will be capable of carrying a range of precision-guided munitions, including air-to-ground missiles and guided bombs, making it suitable for close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, and deep strike missions against high-value targets. Its 150-kilogram payload capacity allows operators to configure the aircraft for surveillance-heavy missions or mixed-load combat sorties, providing flexibility across the full spectrum of tactical operations.
On the battlefield, SIRTAP’s advanced sensor suite and real-time data links will give commanders enhanced situational awareness, allowing coordinated targeting in complex multi-domain environments. The drone’s design prioritizes survivability with secure communications, jam-resistant navigation, and the ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments. These features will make it a valuable asset in both low-intensity conflicts and high-end warfare scenarios where resilience against electronic warfare is critical.
Where SIRTAP distinguishes itself from competitors such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Hermes 450 is in its focus on European defense requirements and NATO-standard interoperability. While the TB2 has an impressive combat record and the Hermes 450 has decades of proven ISR service, SIRTAP brings an added emphasis on electronic warfare resilience, modularity of payloads, and seamless integration into NATO command structures. Its design includes the ability to operate in contested airspaces where electronic jamming is a threat, a feature not as strongly emphasized in its Turkish or Israeli counterparts. Moreover, by offering a domestically produced European system, Airbus reduces political and export restrictions that sometimes complicate acquisitions from outside the continent.
By offering long endurance, modular mission profiles, NATO-compliant systems integration, and the possibility of weapon integration, Airbus is positioning SIRTAP as not only a reconnaissance platform but also a force multiplier capable of shaping battlefield outcomes. This makes it a strategic asset for Spain and a potential export success for European allies seeking reliable alternatives to combat-proven drones from Turkey, Israel, or the United States.
Looking ahead, SIRTAP also has potential synergies with Europe’s Future Combat Air System program, in which Airbus plays a central role. As European air forces move toward manned-unmanned teaming concepts, platforms like SIRTAP could be adapted to operate alongside next-generation fighter jets, feeding sensor data in real time, extending situational awareness, and even acting as loyal wingmen for high-value air assets. This alignment with FCAS ambitions places SIRTAP not only as a tactical battlefield tool but also as a stepping stone toward Europe’s future air combat ecosystem, reinforcing strategic autonomy in both technology and operational doctrine.
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According to information published on the Airbus Defence official X account on September 4, 2025, the first prototype of the SIRTAP high capability tactical unmanned aerial system has completed a demanding phase of ground testing and is now fully painted in its operational configuration. Airbus confirmed that the prototype aircraft and its associated ground control station will soon be transferred to the Spanish Unmanned Systems Test Centre in Huelva. A comprehensive flight-test campaign will then be conducted throughout 2026, leading to the planned delivery of the first system to the Spanish armed forces in 2027.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The first Airbus SIRTAP tactical unmanned aerial system prototype rolls out in full paint after an intensive summer of ground testing, marking the start of preparations for its upcoming flight campaign in Spain. (Picture source: Airbus Defence)
The SIRTAP program, developed by Airbus Defence in close partnership with Spain, fills a crucial operational gap between lightweight tactical drones and larger medium-altitude long-endurance platforms. Designed for up to 20 hours of endurance and equipped with advanced electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and secure communications, the system is intended to deliver reliable intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities. Airbus has also hinted at a future armed configuration, which could significantly expand its mission set.
In the current global UAV market, SIRTAP will inevitably be compared to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and the Israeli Hermes 450, both of which have proven themselves in active combat. The TB2 is praised for its cost-effectiveness and precision strike capability, while the Hermes 450 has long been a benchmark for endurance and operational maturity. Unlike these platforms, SIRTAP emphasizes integration with NATO-standard systems and seeks to position itself as a European solution with enhanced interoperability and logistical support for allied nations.
Spain’s decision to become the launch customer reflects a strategic move to strengthen sovereign drone capabilities while reducing reliance on non-European suppliers. With SIRTAP, Madrid also aims to enhance its defense industry footprint and secure export opportunities within Europe and beyond. If the upcoming flight campaign proves successful, Airbus will be well placed to challenge established players in the tactical UAS market, particularly among countries seeking advanced yet cost-effective alternatives to U.S., Turkish, and Israeli systems.
The entry into service of SIRTAP by 2027 could mark a turning point for European UAV development. By combining endurance, modular payload options, and NATO-standard connectivity, the system may provide European armed forces with a new level of autonomy in tactical drone operations. This program could also pave the way for further industrial cooperation across Europe, reinforcing Airbus’ role as a key player in the defense drone sector.
Beyond intelligence and reconnaissance, the SIRTAP is designed to take on direct combat support roles once armed versions are fielded. The drone will be capable of carrying a range of precision-guided munitions, including air-to-ground missiles and guided bombs, making it suitable for close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, and deep strike missions against high-value targets. Its 150-kilogram payload capacity allows operators to configure the aircraft for surveillance-heavy missions or mixed-load combat sorties, providing flexibility across the full spectrum of tactical operations.
On the battlefield, SIRTAP’s advanced sensor suite and real-time data links will give commanders enhanced situational awareness, allowing coordinated targeting in complex multi-domain environments. The drone’s design prioritizes survivability with secure communications, jam-resistant navigation, and the ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments. These features will make it a valuable asset in both low-intensity conflicts and high-end warfare scenarios where resilience against electronic warfare is critical.
Where SIRTAP distinguishes itself from competitors such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Hermes 450 is in its focus on European defense requirements and NATO-standard interoperability. While the TB2 has an impressive combat record and the Hermes 450 has decades of proven ISR service, SIRTAP brings an added emphasis on electronic warfare resilience, modularity of payloads, and seamless integration into NATO command structures. Its design includes the ability to operate in contested airspaces where electronic jamming is a threat, a feature not as strongly emphasized in its Turkish or Israeli counterparts. Moreover, by offering a domestically produced European system, Airbus reduces political and export restrictions that sometimes complicate acquisitions from outside the continent.
By offering long endurance, modular mission profiles, NATO-compliant systems integration, and the possibility of weapon integration, Airbus is positioning SIRTAP as not only a reconnaissance platform but also a force multiplier capable of shaping battlefield outcomes. This makes it a strategic asset for Spain and a potential export success for European allies seeking reliable alternatives to combat-proven drones from Turkey, Israel, or the United States.
Looking ahead, SIRTAP also has potential synergies with Europe’s Future Combat Air System program, in which Airbus plays a central role. As European air forces move toward manned-unmanned teaming concepts, platforms like SIRTAP could be adapted to operate alongside next-generation fighter jets, feeding sensor data in real time, extending situational awareness, and even acting as loyal wingmen for high-value air assets. This alignment with FCAS ambitions places SIRTAP not only as a tactical battlefield tool but also as a stepping stone toward Europe’s future air combat ecosystem, reinforcing strategic autonomy in both technology and operational doctrine.
