Spain orders Sirtap drones from Airbus

30 November, 2023 Sirtap drone from the Airbus company. Photo credits: Airbus The Spanish Ministry of Defense orders Sirtap drones from Airbus to enhance the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force.

Airbus reported on this. The signed contract, with an announced value of EUR500 million, includes nine systems, each of which includes three drones. In addition, the contract includes the transfer of a ground control station and primary logistical assistance from the manufacturer.

Initially, Spain will receive two simulators that will be used to train future Sirtap UAV operators.

Rendering of the Sirtap drone. Photo credits: Airbus

According to the published schedule, the first flight of the drone is planned for 2025, and the first operational readiness for adoption in 2026.

"This new technological milestone in the tactical UAS segment together with the Spanish Ministry of Defence will reinforce national sovereignty. SIRTAP will be fully developed in Spain, integrating national capabilities.

However, due to its versatility and the use of ITAR-free components, we also expect it to play a key role in the international market," Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, shared.

The exact value of the contract is EUR 494,910,035 million and is to be paid in several tranches until 2030. In addition, it is noted that the actual cost of the UAV may be higher in case of problems in the development and additional funding to fix the problems. SIRTAP, with a payload of over 150 kg, has been designed for advanced surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions, both over land and at sea.

A range of more than 2,000km and an endurance of more than 20 hours will provide high flexibility and reactivity.

Sirtap drone by the Airbus company. Photo credits: Airbus

In the future, the platform may become a carrier of light weapons to support infantry or destroy surface targets in patrol areas. Militarnyi previously reported that the American Mojave drone made a test landing and takeoff from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The Royal Navy started testing on November 15, 2023, after leasing the Mojave UAV for a seven-month period to confirm the ship's design capabilities to operate such drones.

Already on November 17, 2023, Mojave made a test landing and takeoff from an aircraft carrier, which confirms the ship's ability to operate as part of an aircraft carrier wing.