Airbus Defence & Space has completed assembly of the first SIRTAP tactical unmanned air vehicle prototype, marking a significant milestone in Spain’s indigenous UAV development program. The company will now begin rigorous ground testing at its Getafe facility near Madrid before proceeding to flight tests scheduled for late 2025.
Critical Testing Phase Begins
The newly assembled prototype will undergo extensive structural evaluations and system component testing in coming months. Airbus engineers will verify the UAV’s software integration and mechanical performance ahead of its maiden flight. This phase represents a crucial step toward achieving certification for Spain’s next-generation tactical drone system.
Flight Test Campaign Planned
Following ground tests, Airbus will conduct initial flight operations at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology’s CEUS test center in Huelva. A comprehensive 2026 flight test campaign will follow, designed to validate the platform’s operational capabilities and safety parameters. These tests will support the airworthiness certification process required before military deployment.
Spanish Military Delivery Timeline
Under a November 2023 contract with Spain’s Ministry of Defence, Airbus will deliver the first SIRTAP system in early 2027. The €500 million program includes 27 UAVs, nine ground control stations, and two simulators. This acquisition will modernize Spain’s unmanned aerial capabilities while developing domestic aerospace expertise.
Strategic Importance for Spain
Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’s Head of Air Power, emphasized SIRTAP’s dual significance: “This system will strengthen national sovereignty while setting new global standards in tactical UAVs.” The program positions Spain among a select group of nations capable of developing advanced unmanned systems independently.
Future Operational Capabilities
The SIRTAP platform is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with enhanced endurance and payload capacity compared to current systems. Its development reflects growing European demand for sovereign unmanned technologies that reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Successful testing could lead to future export opportunities for the Spanish-designed system.
