The Spanish daily El Independiente reported that the decision by Pedro Sánchez’s government to permanently abandon the purchase of F-35 fighter jets has sparked a wave of concern within Spanish military circles, amid warnings that this move could open the door for Morocco to obtain these advanced aircraft, posing a direct threat to Spain’s military superiority in the western Mediterranean.
According to the report, published Friday, the Spanish government justified the decision by citing its desire to invest 85 percent of the defense budget—over €10.4 billion—into European programs. This has fueled controversy in military circles, alongside fears of its impact on the regional balance of power, particularly with southern neighbor Morocco.
Military experts who spoke to the paper stressed that the F-35, with its vertical take-off capability and stealth technologies, has no true alternative on the global market. This makes it a long-term strategic goal for Morocco, which has sought for years to acquire the most advanced combat aircraft.
The same sources added that Spain’s refusal to sign a contract with Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, could make it easier for Morocco to achieve its ambition—especially since the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump had shown openness to selling the jets to Rabat. Such a development could shift the balance of power in the region.
A former senior officer in the Spanish Air Force told the paper that Morocco’s acquisition of the F-35 “would make it a potential and dangerous enemy for Spain,” noting that the aircraft is “technologically exceptional and outperforms any plane currently in service,” particularly with its vertical take-off capability, which is vital for the Spanish Navy.
The report noted that Spain’s decision was not solely for financial reasons, but also linked to political and ideological considerations. Relations between Sánchez’s government and U.S. national security circles close to Trump had cooled, which could have been one of the motivations for abandoning the deal.
According to the report, the Spanish Navy will be the biggest loser from the cancellation, as it will lose the ability to operate fighter jets from its aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, particularly after the planned retirement of Harrier AV-8B jets by 2030.
A military source told El Independiente that without a vertical take-off alternative, Spanish ships would be limited to operating helicopters, reducing the country’s ability to project military power beyond its borders, while fifth-generation fighters provide decisive superiority in modern warfare.
The report also highlighted that some NATO members, such as the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark, already operate F-35A variants, while others have signed deals to acquire them—putting Spain in a weaker position if it continues to distance itself from this technological system.
As for Morocco, the paper noted that Rabat has strengthened its defense ties with Washington through joint exercises and advanced arms agreements, making it a preferred strategic partner in North Africa. This could pave the way for it to obtain the F-35 if political and financial conditions align.
Spanish sources said that challenges Morocco might face in operating the jets, such as pilot and technician training, are not major obstacles and could be addressed through U.S. training programs and dedicated budgets.
However, the report emphasized that the main hurdle for Morocco remains financial. Each aircraft costs between $80 million and $115 million, with substantial maintenance expenses, which could lead Rabat to rely on support from allies such as the UAE and Israel to finance the deal.
The Spanish daily revealed that Abu Dhabi has offered to fully fund the deal—potentially worth $17 billion, including 45 years of maintenance. If completed, this would make Morocco the first Arab and African country to operate the jets, adding them to its fleet of upgraded F-16s.
The report concluded that Morocco’s acquisition of the F-35, in light of Spain’s abandonment of them, could alter the balance of power in the western Mediterranean and confront the Spanish Armed Forces with unprecedented strategic challenges—especially if reliance on unproven European programs continues.
