Miguel González from EL PAÍS reported that Spanish defense officials are keen to procure the F-35 so that it can replace its EF-18s and AV-8Bs.
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Lamkin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The Spanish Navy will have to phase out the Harrier in a decade’s time and the country’s sole aircraft carrier will be without a fixed-wing fighter when that happens.
The requirement for the Armada is for up to 15 F-35Bs but the number being sought is too small to any meaningful negotiating power.
Therefore, the desire is to jointly acquire the F-35 with the Air Force which is looking at replacing the EF-18. Those jets have high hours and the retirement time frame is similar to the Harrier.