Spain Unveils SIRTAP Its New Locally Made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense unveiled the SIRTAP (High-Performance Tactical RPAS System) via its X account, ready to become the first fully domestically developed military aeronautic system since the CASA C-295. This information was revealed on April 6, 2024.
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Spain unveiled the SIRTAP (High-Performance Tactical RPAS System). (Picture source: Spanish MoD)

This initiative marks a significant milestone as it represents the first unmanned aerial system of Class II/III designed, developed, and produced locally to serve in the Spanish Armed Forces. The system includes a fixed-wing aircraft for flight operations and a ground segment for command and control, both currently under development. The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the acquisition in July, and on November 29, 2023, the Ministry of Defense and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS), the primary contractor, signed the manufacturing contract for nine complete systems.

Each system consists of three unmanned aircraft and a ground control station, totaling 27 aircraft and nine control centers. The initial contract is valued at 500 million euros and includes two simulators for crew training. A distinctive aspect of SIRTAP compared to other domestically produced military aeronautic systems is its complete development within Spain, promising to be a showcase of national technological capabilities, according to Airbus. This system is considered a technological milestone that will strengthen Spanish national sovereignty.

Additionally, SIRTAP is designed to integrate with other "systems of systems" and operate in conjunction with other platforms. It will provide essential expertise and capabilities to the national industry as part of the European Future Combat Air System (NGWS/FCAS) program, specifically in the sector of remote carriers. It will incorporate technological advancements related to navigation, autonomous flight, modular avionics with the latest generation processors, communication systems, ground control stations, carbon fiber components, and new electrical systems.

As the main contractor, Airbus DS is responsible for integrating all aircraft and ground stations, overseeing and managing the systems, subsystems, and equipment from a supply chain of 68 national suppliers. According to the Staff Requirements, SIRTAP will be developed for ISTAR missions—intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. All aircraft will be manufactured and assembled at Airbus DS facilities in Spain, including prototypes, with the first flight scheduled for 2025. The complete system is planned for delivery to the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM) starting in 2027, with progressive deliveries until 2030.

Airbus's industrial plan, approved by the DGAM, anticipates a 70% national participation rate, aiming to maximize domestic contributions. SIRTAP will complement the Eurodrone—a high-autonomy system currently being developed by Germany, Spain, France, and Italy—to support and enhance the national capability for a complete aeronautic system lifecycle, from design to in-service support.

Further advancements are underway, including a second advanced configuration featuring national systems and equipment, focusing on improving electronic warfare components in line with technological evolution.

SIRTAP is designed to bolster the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and Air and Space Forces by conducting advanced surveillance and reconnaissance missions under the most demanding conditions, day and night, on land and at sea. The UAV is engineered to operate in extreme climates, take off from short, unpaved runways, and be disassembled for transport in the cargo hold of a C-295 tactical transport aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Forces. It represents a versatile system that will initially be certified to operate in segregated airspace, adaptable to a wide range of tasks in any weather condition.