Spain cancels its plan to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the US, shifting defense spending to Europe.

Multiple recent reports from August 2025 confirm that Spain has decided to cancel its previously planned acquisition of the American F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. This decision follows a shift in Spain's defense procurement strategy, prioritizing European defense industry products over U.S.-made aircraft. The cancellation includes postponement or abandonment of contracts and allocated budgets, including a €6.

25 billion budget initially set aside for the F-35 purchase. Spanish government statements and media coverage indicate that this move aligns with broader political and strategic goals to strengthen European defense capabilities and reduce reliance on American military hardware. The decision has been widely reported by reputable sources including Politico, The Defense Post, and multiple news outlets citing Spanish government sources and defense ministry statements.