Airbus Opens New Assembly Line for SIRTAP Drone in Getafe to Enhancing Spain’s Tactical Drone Capabilities

In a significant step forward for Spain's military capabilities, Airbus has officially launched the final assembly line for the SIRTAP (Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) at its Getafe facility near Madrid. This new phase, marking the start of assembly for Spain's advanced unmanned aerial vehicle, is geared towards delivering two SIRTAP prototypes with the goal of boosting Spain’s tactical and technological independence in unmanned systems.

The assembly process commenced with the arrival of key components such as the fuselage and wings, all produced by Spanish companies. This not only highlights Spain’s domestic industrial capacity but also reinforces the SIRTAP project’s focus on national technological sovereignty. Airbus has scheduled the completion of the first SIRTAP prototype by spring 2025, followed by extensive ground tests at the Getafe facility. By late 2025, the prototype will move into flight testing, with the Centre of Excellence for Unmanned Systems (CEUS) in Moguer, southern Spain, hosting the trials. This site, operated by the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), is a specialized hub for UAV testing.

The SIRTAP drone, built with a modular design, is capable of fulfilling diverse operational needs, ranging from border security and disaster response to maritime surveillance. Airbus has developed the drone for the Spanish Army and the Spanish Air and Space Force, reinforcing their capacity to conduct crucial missions such as search and rescue, illegal fishing monitoring, drug trafficking prevention, and disaster assessment. The SIRTAP’s design also includes enhanced autonomy and resilience, enabling it to operate effectively in various environments, whether at sea, along rugged coastlines, or across national borders.

Airbus’s agreement with Spanish defense authorities includes the delivery of nine SIRTAP systems, each comprised of three UAVs and a ground control station, ensuring robust, distributed surveillance capabilities. Additionally, two operator training simulators are being developed for this project. These simulators recently passed critical project reviews, paving the way for high-quality training for military personnel and promoting operational readiness as SIRTAP systems enter active use. The UAV simulators are expected to give operators a realistic, responsive training experience, equipping them with the skills needed to maximize the SIRTAP's capabilities in real-time missions.

Highlighting the importance of the SIRTAP project, Airbus noted that the design, development, and manufacturing of this remotely piloted vehicle embody a significant leap in Spain’s strategic technological autonomy. The project not only reinforces the nation's defense capabilities but also fosters industrial growth by involving a network of Spanish suppliers in the production process.

In all, the SIRTAP project promises to provide Spain with an essential tool for national security and resilience. With its advanced assembly and testing underway, Spain is set to strengthen its defense capabilities and extend its control over crucial tactical domains, ensuring an adaptable and autonomous response to a variety of modern-day challenges. The completion and deployment of the SIRTAP systems will be closely watched as a marker of Spain’s evolving role in UAV technology and defense readiness.