“Key sector that promote innovation and techological development”

Aerospace is a strategic sector due to its proven capacity to generate wealth, create high-quality employment and originate advanced technologies that have a transformative effect on other industries in the Spanish economy.

The Spanish aerospace industry is highly developed and ranks 4th in Europe in terms of sales and employment: in 2023 registered 13.90 billion euros in turnover (15% increase compared to 2022) and more than 215,000 direct and indirect jobs. 59% of the sales volume recorded by the Defence, Security, Aeronautics and Space sectors in 2023 was generated by exports.

The industry is characterized by its growth over the last decade (24% since 2012) and significant investment in R&D, which accounts for 10% of the industry’s sales. Aeronautics, Defence&Security, and Space companies generated a total R&D&I investment of 2,403 M€ in 2023.

The sector counts with strong public support, the PERTE AEROESPACIAL grants program plans to mobilize 4,533 million euros between 2021 and 2025, with a public sector contribution of 2,193 million euros and private investment of 2,340 million. The main objective is to position the Spanish Aerospace sector as a key player to face the new challenges and opportunities related to the large transformations foreseen in the sector.

Spanish Space Agency (ESA)

• Has started operating in the first quarter of 2023
• Headquarters: Seville.
• Mission: to promote space research and act as an intermediary between national and international entities.
• In 2024 ESA has granted 156,8 M€ for technology projects in the Spanish space sector. 

The Spanish aeronautics industry is a world leader in many fields, including composite materials for aircraft structures, low-pressure turbines, air traffic management systems and military transport aircraft. Spain is one of the few countries in the world with a complete value chain for aircraft manufacturing.