Latest news with #JuanCarlosI
Observer
19-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman & Spain: Partnership amidst global opportunities
The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Spain share a relationship marked by growing economic cooperation, building on a foundation of strong diplomatic ties. While the economic partnership is still developing, it holds significant potential for both nations, particularly as they navigate evolving global challenges and seek new avenues for growth. This analysis explores the multifaceted relationship between Oman and Spain, examining its historical context, current economic ties and future opportunities. The relationship between Oman and Spain is rooted in a history of diplomatic engagement, with formal relations established in 1972. This initial step has been crucial in fostering a climate of mutual respect and cooperation, setting the stage for increased collaboration across various sectors. The establishment of reciprocal embassies in the mid-2000s further solidified this foundation, enhancing communication and facilitating stronger economic links. High-level visits and agreements, such as the significant visit by King Juan Carlos I of Spain in 2014, have underscored the commitment from both sides to expand their cooperation. Examining the economic ties between Oman and Spain reveals a trade relationship with growth potential. While the overall trade volume has been described as 'relatively modest,' it has shown a general upward trend over the past decade. In 2023, Spain recorded a trade surplus with Oman, amounting to $27 million. Data indicates Oman's exports to Spain were valued at $246 million, while Spain's exports to Oman totalled $249 million. However, more recent monthly data suggests a contraction in trade volumes, highlighting the influence of factors such as commodity price volatility. Oman's exports to Spain are concentrated in mineral fuels, oils and aluminium, reflecting its resource-based economy. Spain's exports to Oman are more diversified, including machinery, transport equipment and manufactured goods. Specifically, Oman's exports to Spain include mineral fuels, oils ($33.57 million), aluminium ($32.48 million) and plastics ($19.10 million). Spain's exports to Oman feature ships ($31.83 million), aircraft ($24.93 million) and vehicles ($23.07 million). Investment is a vital component of the Oman-Spain economic relationship. The Spain Oman Private Equity Fund (SOPEF), a joint initiative between the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the Spanish development finance institution COFIDES, is a key example. SOPEF has allocated €300 million to support the internationalisation of Spanish companies and contribute to the economic development of both nations. Spanish investments in Oman include Union Fenosa Gas's stake in Qalhat LNG and Indra Sistemas' provision of air traffic management systems. These investments highlight Spain's involvement in Oman's energy and infrastructure sectors, while initiatives like SOPEF aim to foster broader economic diversification and collaboration. For Oman, this economic relationship presents opportunities to advance its Oman Vision 2040 diversification goals. Collaboration with Spanish firms offers avenues for technology transfer, access to new markets and enhanced competitiveness. Spain's membership in the European Union provides a strategic entry point for Omani products into the EU market. Omani companies, particularly SMEs, can explore niche markets in Spain, focusing on unique products and leveraging platforms like the Barcelona seafood expo to connect with Spanish partners. Spain also benefits significantly from this partnership. Oman represents a growing market for Spanish exports, including machinery, transport equipment and manufactured goods. Initiatives like SOPEF facilitate the internationalisation of Spanish companies and provide access to new investment opportunities in Oman and the broader Middle East. Furthermore, Oman is a reliable supplier of LNG to Spain, contributing to Spain's energy security. Several sectors have been identified as key areas for enhanced collaboration. These include renewable energy, where Oman's potential aligns with Spain's expertise; tourism, where Spain's experience can support Oman's growth plans; logistics and infrastructure, leveraging Spain's advanced capabilities; technology and digital transformation, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer; and manufacturing and agribusiness, promoting diversification and food security.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain Wants To Convert Its Aircraft Carrier For Drone Operations
Spain is the latest nation to look at introducing carrier-based drones, which it plans to integrate on its sole aircraft carrier, the Spanish Navy flagship Juan Carlos I. While it's unclear what kind of launch and recovery system will be added to the warship, should the studies prove successful, introducing carrier-based drones could help ensure the longer-term relevance of the vessel once its venerable EAV-8B+ Matador II attack jets head for retirement. Airbus and the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia today announced the signature of an agreement to explore the integration of the SIRTAP drone on the Juan Carlos I. 'This joint effort seeks to achieve a fully integrated system, ensuring complete compatibility between SIRTAP and the Juan Carlos I carrier, increasing its mission capabilities, operational flexibility, and the overall effectiveness of both platforms in diverse operational scenarios,' Airbus said in a statement. The current agreement seeks to ensure that the SIRTAP is fully interoperable with the Spanish flattop, not only in terms of flying to and from its flight deck but also being integrated into the carrier's SCOMBA combat management system. According to Airbus, the integration of the drone on the carrier will focus on separate areas of study, namely command and control (C2), combat system integration, and navigation support (including takeoff and landing operations). The Juan Carlos I is generally described as a landing helicopter dock (LHD), a type of amphibious assault ship. However, it also has a fixed-wing combat aircraft capability, with a 'ski jump' takeoff ramp on the bow for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations. For this, it's equipped with the EAV-8B+ Matador II — equivalent to the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B+ Harrier II — making it Spain's sole aircraft carrier. As for the SIRTAP, this was developed by Airbus as 'a high-end tactical unmanned aircraft system.' Spain became the launch customer for the drone in late 2023 and is currently due to receive nine systems — each comprising one ground control station and three aircraft. Providing that integration of the SIRTAP on the Juan Carlos I is successful, orders could well increase. The SIRTAP is primarily a surveillance platform, specifically designed to accommodate two payloads simultaneously: typically, an electro-optical turret and a multi-mission radar, as part of a 400-pound mission payload. The drone has an endurance of more than 20 hours. Even before today's announcement, Airbus was touting the overwater capabilities of the drone, highlighting missions including day/night and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). While Airbus and Navantia haven't so far presented a timeline for the integration work, Airbus has released photos showing a SIRTAP mockup on the deck of the carrier, while it was in port. In the past, it's been reported that the first SIRTAP prototype — which is being built at the Airbus facility in Getafe, Spain — should take to the air before the end of this year. We also don't yet know how the companies envision carrier operations involving the SIRTAP. While the Juan Carlos I has a takeoff ramp, it doesn't have a catapult launch system or arrester cables. Most likely, the approach will parallel that being explored by Turkey. Parallels are especially likely since the Turkish Navy's 'drone carrier' Anadolu uses a design based on that of the Juan Carlos I. It also features a large open flight deck with a ramp at the bow. So far, the Bayraktar TB3 has successfully landed on and taken off from the Anadolu and there are plans for more capable drones to be embarked in the future. Turkey first announced plans to convert the Anadolu as a 'drone carrier' in 2023. Modifications to be carried out on the Turkish vessel included the addition of dedicated control stations, beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications terminals, a 'roller system' on the flight deck toward the bow to help launch uncrewed aircraft, an arresting gear system, and safety nets. In the initial videos showing the TB3 being tested aboard the Anadolu, two of which are embedded below, no launch or recovery systems were yet visible. It's also possible that Spain might opt for different solutions to make its carrier drone-compatible. Sevda kuşun kanadında.. TCG-ANADOLU'ya ilk iniş-kalkış..#BayraktarTB3 — Selçuk Bayraktar (@Selcuk) November 19, 2024 Regardless, having drones operate from the deck of the Juan Carlos I would be a big deal for the Spanish Navy. Unlike the Turkish TB3, which can carry small precision-guided missiles and bombs, as well as rockets and other munitions, the SIRTAP isn't currently planned to carry armament. Currently, Spain is likely to retire its EAV-8B jets from around 2030 to 2034. The only like-for-like replacement is the F-35B, but for a force of only 13 Matador IIs, this would likely be cost-prohibitive. Fielding an armed naval drone would be one option for the Spanish Navy to preserve its carrier-based fixed-wing strike capabilities. While the SIRTAP won't meet those requirements, it will at least provide very valuable experience in operating drones from a carrier. In this way, it could pave the way for Spain to acquire more advanced armed drones that could help replace the capabilities that are otherwise set to be lost when the EAV-8B is retired. Ultimately, other types of drones flying from the Juan Carlos I could attack certain targets on land and at sea, as well as conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Even if an unarmed navalized drone, like the SIRTAP, could provide very welcome surveillance capabilities, helping build a recognized maritime picture that can be shared with other Spanish Navy and allied assets. As well as improving maritime situational awareness, the drone could also use its sensors for targeting. Potentially, the SIRTAP drones could also act as aerial network relay nodes and, depending on the type of radar fitted, possibly even serve as airborne early warning platforms. Previously, the Spanish Navy operated SH-3 Sea King helicopters adapted for airborne early warning, but these have long since been retired, with this capability being lost in the process. At this point, we still don't know for sure if Spain will adopt the SIRTAP for carrier operations, or even if it might end up selecting another drone for this emerging requirement. In the meantime, Spain joins a growing number of nations that are looking to add fixed-wing drones to their aviation-capable warships, with big-deck amphibious warfare ships being especially well suited to this. China is currently very much at the forefront of these endeavors, including developing advanced flying-wing UCAVs that can operate from carriers and other big-deck ships. The same country is also developing an entirely new class of super-sized amphibious assault ships that are very likely optimized for drone operations. In the United Kingdom, the Royal Navy has begun demonstrating its ability to launch and recover drones from flattops, including the General Dynamics Mojave, which head operated from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. This is part of a wider effort to expand the Royal Navy's uncrewed naval aviation capabilities. Late last year, a Gray Eagle STOL drone was successfully launched from South Korea's Dokdo amphibious assault ship as part of another demonstration but recovered at a base on land. You can read more about those trials here. Meanwhile, as well as the Mojave and Gray Eagle, General Atomics is also offering a derivative of its MQ-9 Reaper that can operate from big-deck ships, as well as a carrier-capable member of its highly modular Gambit family of uncrewed aircraft. Recently, General Atomics also pitched a version of its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for installation on a variety of naval vessels, allowing them to launch drones. These included the U.K. Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer and the U.S. Navy's Expeditionary Sea Base. Previously, General Atomics had also offered similar EMALS solutions to launch drones from the U.K. Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth class and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Izumo class carriers. Among the other countries now exploring fixed-wing naval drone capabilities is Japan, while Spain's neighbor, Portugal, has also ordered a new 'multi-purpose vessel' that will be able to operate drones. These will help it fulfill a range of missions, including oceanic research, search and rescue, emergency relief, and naval support operations. As TWZ has noted before, the U.S. Navy has been somewhat slow on the uptake, although the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone is set to become its first operational advanced uncrewed carrier-based aircraft. The MQ-25 will have a secondary surveillance and reconnaissance capability, and there remains a possibility that it will eventually add new roles, including stand-off strike, in the future. At the same time, the U.S. Navy is now working to install new dedicated drone control centers on its carriers, as part of a broader effort to help it realize its own larger uncrewed naval aviation plans. The U.S. Navy service has said that it plans for its carrier air wings to eventually become at least 60 percent pilotless. Now, there is something of a race on, to see which navy fields the first operational 'drone carrier.' While it won't be the first to achieve this, it's notable that Spain is now looking to field these kinds of capabilities on the Juan Carlos I. Integrating drones, especially more advanced ones, could potentially provide the flagship with a vital new mission, and a rejuvenated air wing, especially once the EAV-8B Matador II is retired. Contact the author: thomas@
