Spain approves 11.86 billion euros in defence contracts for air defence, submarines and ships

Air defence and anti-drone systems

The Council of Ministers approved 13 contracts on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, worth 11,860,333,249.78 euros in total, according to the government's published references. The largest item is a high-mobility air and missile defence system valued at 3,396.7 million euros, to be paid over ten years. Another 1,450.3 million euros goes to counter-drone systems (C-UAS) for use on national territory and in overseas operations against hostile unmanned aircraft. El Periódico puts the two contracts together at almost 4,850 million euros, more than 40% of the total. The government's reference does not say which company will receive the air defence contract, but it describes the purpose in these words:

“To enable the anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence units of the Armed Forces to be deployed, giving total defensive coverage against threats of this nature.”

High-mobility air defence systems3,396.7

S-80 submarine modernisation2,373.6

Counter-drone systems (C-UAS)1,450.3

NH90 helicopter modernisation996

S-80 submarine-launched missiles792

Galicia-class amphibious ships594.8

Intelligence ship591.3

Segura-class minehunters527.3

Taurus NEO capacity building480

Hydrographic ocean-going ship345

Navy surface ships209.8

High-mobility air defence systems

3396.7 million euros

S-80 submarine modernisation

2373.6 million euros

Counter-drone systems (C-UAS)

1450.3 million euros

NH90 helicopter modernisation

996 million euros

S-80 submarine-launched missiles

792 million euros

Galicia-class amphibious ships

594.8 million euros

Intelligence ship

591.3 million euros

Segura-class minehunters

527.3 million euros

Taurus NEO capacity building

480 million euros

Hydrographic ocean-going ship

345 million euros

Navy surface ships

209.8 million euros

Data from the article text

Navy and submarines

Navantia features in several naval contracts. The largest is 2,373.6 million euros for the upkeep, modernisation and development of the S-80 submarines, which the government says need constant adaptation to technological advances. A separate 792 million euros, spread over nine years, covers developing, integrating and buying submarine-launched missiles for the S-80s, in line with Navy operational needs and NATO guidelines. An intelligence ship worth 591.3 million euros will be designed and built by Navantia, with a delivery period of 74 months from the execution order. A hydrographic ocean-going ship is priced at 345 million euros, and Navy surface ships receive 209.8 million euros for modernisation. Segura-class minehunters will undergo mid-life modernisation for 527.3 million euros, while Galicia-class amphibious assault ships get 594.8 million euros for upgrades to communications, combat and navigation systems.

Taurus missiles, helicopters and Canadair aircraft

The Taurus cruise missile modernisation, costing 65 million euros over six years, is meant to keep the fleet operational beyond 2040. Separately, 480 million euros goes to building national industrial capacity for the Taurus NEO programme, a European effort to develop a new generation of long-range air-to-ground cruise missiles. The NH90 helicopter modernisation and development is valued at 996 million euros and will be awarded to Airbus Helicopters España as main contractor. A four-year framework agreement worth about 38.4 million euros covers logistics support for the CL-215, CL-415 and CL-515 Canadair aircraft in Air and Space Force service, replacing a contract that is nearing its end. The reference describes these aircraft as an essential asset in fighting forest fires.

Spending pace and what comes next

The approval continues a fast run of authorisations. El Periódico counts more than 16,000 million euros across the last two Council meetings, on top of 2,196 million euros in loans to Navantia approved on 27 October under the Special Modernisation Plans (PEM). EL PAÍS reports that Spain will launch 15 PEM this year, which together with earlier programmes make up 94 large military programmes. The government aims to keep military spending at 2% of GDP. According to El Periódico, government spokeswoman Elma Saiz did not announce the decision at the press conference after the Council. ABC notes that the approval came 20 days before general elections set for 29 November. The air defence contract runs for ten years and the S-80 missile contract for nine, while the intelligence ship has a delivery period of 74 months from the execution order.