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Eurofighters to Arrive at Gran Canaria’s Gando Air Base

Gando Air Base Prepares for Eurofighter Arrival

The Canary Islands are preparing for the arrival of Eurofighter jets at Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria. The military installation has begun preparations to receive these fighter aircraft, which will arrive in the Islands throughout this year. Their objective is to modernise airspace surveillance and provide the Archipelago with state-of-the-art capabilities, surpassing those currently offered by the F-18s.

€12.7 Million Electrical Modernisation Project

In this regard, the Spanish Air and Space Force, as reported by Infodefensa, has launched a project focused on the electrical modernisation of the base. The work, which involves an investment of €12.7 million, focuses especially on the renovation of the power plant and the installation’s energy distribution system. In a context where air defence is becoming increasingly relevant, the Eurofighter will join the protection of the Canary Islands’ airspace to strengthen the Archipelago’s defence system.

Strategic Location Demands Advanced Technology

This move takes on special significance given the Islands’ strategic position at a key point between Europe, Africa, and America. This makes them a fundamental enclave for controlling air and maritime traffic in the Atlantic. This scenario demands, among other elements, highly demanding technologies. The arrival of this fighter jet, which is technologically more advanced than the F-18, requires an update to the energy infrastructure, particularly to support critical sensors and support systems.

Overhauling the High-Voltage Network

The project involves a comprehensive renewal of the medium-voltage network that supplies the entire Gando Air Base. This is a key step to adapt the installation to the technological demands of the new Eurofighters. The intervention will focus especially on the power plant, considered the core of the base’s energy distribution system, from which the medium-voltage rings connecting all areas, both in the northern and southern sectors, are fed.

Boosting Power Capacity and Fire Safety

Among the first actions is the replacement of the current transformers, with the aim of moving from a six-kilovolt voltage to a more powerful 20-kilovolt configuration, capable of supporting the greater demand from state-of-the-art systems. Furthermore, the project will involve a remodelling of the power plant’s interior space and an update of the electrical distribution cells, guaranteeing a more efficient, secure, and future-ready infrastructure.

Another key aspect of the project is fire safety—a critical factor in installations where any failure could compromise strategic operations. The generator room will be configured as an independent sector, protected by fire-resistant elements, allowing it to be isolated in an emergency and ensuring a continuous power supply. This measure not only protects equipment and infrastructure but also ensures the base can maintain its operations without interruption, even in the face of unexpected incidents, thereby reinforcing resilience against potential risks.

Replacing Ageing F-18s with a Technological Leap

The modernisation of Gando Air Base is part of a broader plan to reinforce the Canary Islands’ defence capabilities. The F-18s currently operating on the Island are nearing the end of their operational cycle, making their replacement urgent. To meet this need, Spain has acquired 20 Eurofighter jets from Airbus Defence and Space. This represents a technological leap that will allow the Canary Islands’ defence to operate much more advanced aircraft.

Capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoon

Regarding these combat aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon stands out for its operational versatility and its ability to undertake both air superiority missions and attacks on ground targets. The aircraft combines high speed and great manoeuvrability with advanced radar technology and avionics systems. Among its most notable features is the Captor-E radar, capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets at long range, as well as an integrated system that allows for the simultaneous execution of air-to-air and air-to-ground operations—a capability the older F-18s could not perform with the same effectiveness.

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