Airbus and Indra Selected to Shape Spain’s Future SIGINT Aircraft Capability

Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Indra Group, has been selected by the Spanish Ministry of Defence to conduct a conceptual definition study for the future Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Force. This important initiative represents a key step toward strengthening Spain’s sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

The study, scheduled to run for 18 months, will focus on analysing and defining the most suitable aircraft platform and advanced signals intelligence systems required to meet the operational needs of the Spanish Armed Forces. The goal is to develop a national solution based on a fleet of three aircraft capable of detecting, tracking, classifying, and identifying targets of interest across a wide range of operational scenarios. These capabilities are critical for modern defence operations, where timely and accurate intelligence plays a decisive role.

As part of the programme, Airbus Defence and Space will be responsible for proposing an aircraft platform tailored specifically to Spanish requirements. This will include assessing performance, endurance, payload capacity, and adaptability to host sophisticated intelligence-gathering systems. Working closely with Indra, Airbus will also study the integration of electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT) systems. This integration phase will serve as a preliminary step toward defining the full development and implementation of the future SIGINT programme.

Indra, a leading company in defence electronics and intelligence systems, will contribute its expertise in the design and development of advanced SIGINT technologies. Together, the two companies aim to ensure that the resulting solution is both operationally effective and aligned with Spain’s strategic objective of maintaining national control over critical defence capabilities.

At a later stage of the programme, Airbus Defence and Space is expected to undertake the necessary modifications to the selected aircraft platform. This would include implementing and industrialising the SIGINT system proposed by Indra. Airbus brings significant experience to this role, having successfully converted commercial aircraft into advanced military platforms. Notable examples include the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which is converted at Airbus facilities in Getafe.

In addition, Airbus has extensive expertise in integrating sensors and mission systems across a variety of aircraft configurations. This combination of platform integration experience and Indra’s intelligence systems knowledge positions the partnership to deliver a robust, future-ready SIGINT capability for the Spanish Air and Space Force, reinforcing Spain’s defence autonomy and operational effectiveness.