Spain invests €40m to upgrade 19 Northrop F-5B fighters, which will extend the aircraft's life until 2030

The Spanish government has authorised the Ministry of Defence to begin upgrading Northrop's F-5B fighter jets. The upgrade will extend the life of the aircraft, presumably until the end of the decade.

Here's What We Know

The Spanish Air Force has 19 F-5B fighters. The upgrade will keep them in service until 2030. The life extension programme will cost €40m.

The fighters were already undergoing an upgrade about 20 years ago. They received new avionics, which enabled them to extend their service life.

Secretary of State for Defence Amparo Valcarce announced in March this year that the planes needed to undergo an upgrade. However, at the time it was assumed that the fighters would retire in 2028 and the programme would cost €25 million.

Source: Infodefensa