Spain is set to become part of the expanding group of nations exploring the potential of integrating carrier-based drones into their naval fleets.
On January 28, 2024, Airbus Defence announced a partnership with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to evaluate the potential integration of the SIRTAP unmanned aerial system into the Spanish Navy’s flagship, the Juan Carlos I.
Airbus took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating that this initiative is intended as the first step to guarantee the interoperability of SIRTAP with other systems on the carrier, including the SCOMBA combat system.
The company added that integration efforts will focus on several key areas, including Command and Control (C2), combat system integration, and navigation support, which encompasses take-off and landing operations.
Airbus further noted, “This joint effort seeks to achieve a fully integrated system, ensuring complete compatibility between SIRTAP and Juan Carlos I carrier, increasing its mission capabilities, operational flexibility, and the overall effectiveness of both platforms in diverse operational scenarios.”
Airbus has also released several photos showcasing a mockup of the SIRTAP unmanned aerial system placed on the deck of the carrier during its time in port. However, as of now, Airbus and Navantia have not disclosed a specific timeline for the integration process.
The SIRTAP platform, currently under development in Spain, is expected to enter operational service with the Spanish armed forces starting in 2027.
As part of a major €495 million ($543 million) development and production contract signed in 2023, a total of 27 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be supplied alongside nine ground control stations to manage and operate the systems.
Flight testing for the first prototype of the SIRTAP is planned to begin before the end of 2025. Upon becoming operational, the SIRTAP, which features a single engine, will primarily be tasked with performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The SIRTAP will be capable of carrying a payload of more than 150kg. The platform is also expected to offer an impressive endurance of over 20 hours when operating at altitudes of approximately 20,000 feet, according to its developers.
Meanwhile, the Juan Carlos I, classified as a landing helicopter dock (LHD), serves as an amphibious assault ship for the Spanish Navy.
In addition to its role as an LHD, the ship is also capable of deploying fixed-wing combat aircraft. Equipped with a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp at the bow, the ship is capable of conducting short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations.
This enables it to deploy the EAV-8B+ Matador II, a variant similar to the US Marine Corps’ AV-8B+ Harrier II, making the Juan Carlos I Spain’s only aircraft carrier.
Spain Joins The Global Trend Of Deploying Carrier-Capable Drones
With the latest announcement, Spain follows in the footsteps of numerous other nations that are delving into the strategic potential of deploying tactical UAVs from naval platforms.
There has been a rising trend in the deployment of fixed-wing drones, capable of carrying heavy payloads and offering extended endurance, across various types of naval platforms.
These include amphibious assault ships, helicopter carriers, STOVL carriers with large decks, as well as traditional aircraft carriers. The integration of such drones is set to revolutionize the operational capacity of these vessels while also allowing them to undertake a broader range of missions.
Notably, it will strengthen capabilities in persistent airborne surveillance, facilitating real-time intelligence, increasing communication networks across the fleet, and significantly improving force protection measures.
The Turkish Bayraktar TB3 and the US Mojave have already received notable attention for their testing aboard naval vessels in recent times.
According to reports, following the initial trials of the Bayraktar TB3 and the US-developed Mojave, the SIRTAP UAS could become the third drone designed for operation onboard carriers with short runways.
In November 2023, the UK Royal Navy revealed that the Mojave, a variant of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle aircraft modified for short takeoff and landing, successfully took off and safely returned to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
On the other hand, late last year, Turkey successfully executed the first flight of its Bayraktar TB3 UCAV from the TCG Anadolu.
Nonetheless, the prospect of deploying drones from the Juan Carlos I would mark a major advancement for the Spanish Navy. With plans to retire its EAV-8B Harrier jets between 2030 and 2034, Spain faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement.
The F-35B, the only direct replacement to the Harrier, would offer cutting-edge capabilities but comes with a high cost, particularly given that the Spanish Navy operates only 13 Matador II jets. This makes the acquisition of F-35Bs financially prohibitive.
As a result, introducing an armed naval drone could serve as a viable and more affordable solution to allow the Spanish Navy to sustain its ability to conduct fixed-wing strike operations from aircraft carriers without incurring the heavy expense associated with manned aircraft.
In contrast to the Turkish TB3, which is designed to carry a variety of weaponry, including small precision-guided missiles, bombs, rockets, and other munitions, the SIRTAP is not currently intended to be equipped with armaments.
However, there is potential for future upgrades. The SIRTAP could be modified to carry weapons by utilizing its four underwing hardpoints.
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