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Turkish defense giant Aselsan is in talks with Spain about replacing capabilities lost after Madrid canceled contracts with Israeli firms under its arms embargo, a company representative told Spanish defense outlet Infodefensa, as Aselsan seeks to expand beyond its role in Spain's Hurjet trainer program.
"We are also talking with Spain about some specific payloads, some contracts that have been canceled with Israeli companies, to replace the capabilities they need," the representative said during Infodefensa's visit to Aselsan's headquarters in Türkiye.
Madrid's push for "zero technological dependence" on Israel has opened a market for alternative suppliers, and Turkish firms, already partners in Spain's Hurjet program, are positioning to fill the gap.
The representative did not say whether the talks have led to procurement procedures or signed agreements, and the comments do not indicate that Spain has awarded Aselsan contracts to replace those systems.
Aselsan has no direct equivalent to Israeli systems such as the PULS launcher behind Spain’s Silam rocket program or the Spike missile, but offers a range of sensors and technologies affected by the embargo, including electronic warfare pods, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, electro-optical systems, thermal cameras, laser guidance and tactical radios.
Aselsan's systems and payloads were selected through Turkish industry for Spain’s Hurjet-based training program, and the company has signed a contract with Turkish firms to supply them, the representative said, without disclosing the value, quantities or systems involved.
Spain plans to buy 30 Hurjets, potentially rising to 45, adapted to national requirements under the leadership of Airbus Defense and Space with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), to replace its F-5 trainers.
Aselsan said it has carried out coastal surveillance demonstrations in Spain.
Another representative told the Spanish defense media outlet that the company provided support without a contractual commitment during a recent episode related to irregular migration, without giving details.
"We work with Indra and other companies because it is necessary to have national capabilities," the representative said, adding Aselsan is willing to transfer technology and even develop code jointly with partners. "We are not afraid of being surpassed or put to the test."
"What we do at Aselsan and Türkiye to differentiate ourselves from other global competitors is that we are not there to push products; we are there to establish long-term partnerships," company sources told Infodefensa.
Spain’s parliament formally approved an arms embargo on Israel in October 2025, banning imports and exports of defense and dual-use technology over the war in Gaza.
Madrid canceled procurement of Israeli systems, including the Silam rocket launcher, Litening targeting pods, and Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles, and has reportedly evaluated Roketsan missiles as a replacement for Spike.
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Spain's Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce said in February that Madrid would reach zero dependence by "systematically and progressively replacing any component, system, or technology that may exist in certain very restricted areas."
The Middle East Eye (MEE) recently reported that Madrid-based GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas is delivering vehicles to Latvia fitted with Israeli Elbit turrets despite the embargo.
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