On the 7th of May 2007, the Spanish Air Force accepted the first P-3 aircraft modernised by EADS CASA, in accordance with the contract for the operational updating of the Air Force’s five P-3B aircraft.

The operating efficacy of the modernised aircraft has been validated through the Operational Evaluation phase that the Air Force has carried out in recent months, and which included participation in two joint NATO aircraft exercises, in which the P-3 aircraft successfully demonstrated their submarine detection, tracking and attack capacity.

The operational updating programme included the integration of the EADS CASA FITS Tactical Mission System, as well as the incorporation of new sensors and subsystems, including the SAR/ISAR Search Radar, Electronic War System (ESM), IFF Interrogator, Acoustic System, Link 11 Datalink, as well as the modernisation of the aircraft’s navigation and communications equipment.

Along with the first P-3 aircraft, the Mission Support Centre (MSC) was also accepted. This is located at the Morón air base (Seville), and will enable mission preparation and post-mission processing tactical information and that from sensors, gathered during the carrying out of surveillance missions.