Spain signs deal with Airbus for SiRTAP MALE UAS
SIRTAP MALE UAV has been scheduled for first flight in 2025. (Image: Airbus)
Spain’s MoD has inked a deal with Airbus for the development and purchase of Sistema RPAS Táctico de Altas Prestaciones (SiRTAP) multirole medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS.
The contract has included a total of nine systems, each consisting of three UAVs. One ground control station and two simulators will be supplied to train the Spanish Armed Forces.
Jean-Brice Dumont, head of military air systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said the development of the system solely in Spain would support national sovereignty and help to integrate national capabilities.
‘[Additionally] the fact the system uses ITAR-free components means we also expect it to play a key role on the international market,’ Dumont noted.
Primarily designed for ISTAR operations, the modular UAV can be outfitted for other mission sets and will be certified to fly in segregated airspace.
The UAV will be able to carry a payload of more than 150kg and will have a range of more than 2,000km with an endurance of more than 20h.
First flight of the SiRTAP prototype will be expected to take place in 2025. Colombia, which has a role in the development and production programme, is a planned customer and in July 2023 Serbia announced it was planning to join the programme.
Shephard Defence Insight estimated, based on information about Spain's purchase of 27 units at an investment of US$565.18 million, that each unit would cost $20.9 million and have a flyaway unit cost of $16.7 million.
More from Air Warfare
-
Colombia confirms Gripen E/F buy, final negotiations still underway
The country was reportedly “months” away from an official aircraft selection, as of mid-March 2025.
-
Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
-
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.