Airbus employs 13,000 people in Spain and is preparing to sign a historic military contract: the replacement of F-18 fighters by Eurofighters on the Peninsula. With this or with another government. The aeronautical multinational assumes that the increase in defense spending will continue.
What are the opportunities for Airbus in Spain?
I think that we have, in general, a very good relationship with the Spanish government. And we have shown it in recent years with the Eurofighter Falcon contract. But there is more to come and proof of this is the fact that the Air Force has selected the C295 for maritime patrol. There is even one more opportunity for the Eurofighter: the program to replace the F-18 of the Air Force. We need to meet Spain's expectations. There is also a great opportunity for the drone program, the Eurodrone. We should be able to start this program for Spain.
How is the Eurofighter Falcon program going?
We are preparing to restart the final assembly line here in Getafe. We have to comply with the definition requested by the Spanish Air Force and the most important thing is to prepare the industrial activity. We are also restarting the final assembly line of the Quadriga program, the Eurofighters from Germany, the twin brothers of the Spanish ones.
Will Spain buy more Eurofighter?
We believe that the government will close the contract this year, the second part of the Halcón program. It is difficult to know the exact moment, but there is a clear intention to go fast, we have seen it with the previous contract (for 20 Eurofighters for the Canary Islands). The contract has to pass a formal validation process in the Council of Ministers. This could take us to the end of the year or the beginning of 2024. It depends a lot on the pressure and it is true that this year is electoral.
How is Airbus' relationship with the Spanish Government?
We are very satisfied with the Spanish Government. We have two different ways of relating: on the one hand, we are a company with thousands of employees in Spain and we need to protect those jobs. We need to serve Spain as a large Spanish company that is part of a large business group. And, secondly, we are suppliers to the Government of Spain, to the Ministry of Defense, and at this moment we feel very honored by the quality of the relationship with them. It's not always easy. Because our military businesses are very political and sensitive. But we believe that we have the confidence of the Government and I trust them. I am French, I have worked with many governments and I am very impressed by the coherence and quality with which the Spanish Government works; it has demonstrated a very consistent deployment of its policy to increase the defense budget.
A few years ago Airbus came to consider layoffs in Spain, what has happened in this time?
I think we've turned the page. We have recovered industrial activity and we have been able to get along much better with the Government. What do you need? What do we need from them? We have been clearly supported by the Government helping to save research and development jobs, betting on a sustainable aerospace industry. So this is a very good example of saving jobs to preserve Spain's position on the European scene.
Is Airbus thinking of increasing its jobs in Spain?
When we see the current inflation situation we have to be cautious. Last year we hired 1,000 more workers. We could think of a similar plan for this year, but I would tend to be cautious here. We have to look carefully at how the market evolves. But one thing is certain: current jobs are secured.
Does it guarantee the continuity of jobs at the Seville plant?
Yes. One thing is certain now, the question of the challenge for us is to export. The pace of sales has slowed and we have to change gears. But there are countries interested in a significant number of A400Ms.
Do you think that the population has changed its opinion about the military industry after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine?
There is a change of mentality of the people. I think that the population forgot a bit that peace has a cost. Yes, there is an adequate level of protection for their territory, their autonomy, their sovereignty. What Ukraine tells us is that this is fragile. You know the Latin saying if you want peace, prepare for war? We are here to help our countries to equip themselves, to be protected. What Ukraine tells us is that there are elements of political instability on our doorstep. It also resonates with younger generations, who have not known times of conflict. They begin to realize that this can all escalate into a global conflict rather quickly. What Ukraine tells us is that military equipment should not be neglected.
