How ITE contributes to the maintenance of the Eurofighter Typhoon at the Seville Air Maintenance Base
On reaching one million accumulated flight hours by the Eurofighter Typhoon in service, we continue with our special feature dedicated to the maintenance activities that make the operability of the C-16 of the Spanish Air and Space Force possible.
This historic milestone not only demonstrates the operational maturity of one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, but also the strength of the industrial, technical and human ecosystem that supports it from the ground. In the case of Spain, this journey has been closely linked to units such as Ala 11, at Morón Air Base, and Ala 14, at Los Llanos Air Base, where the Eurofighter, with around 70 aircraft currently in operation, constitutes a central element of air defence.
On this occasion, we focus on the tasks carried out by our ITE teams at the Seville Air Maintenance Base, under the authority of the Logistic Support Command (MALOG), a strategic site for sustaining the system.
The Seville Air Maintenance Base, a key element in the recovery of Eurofighter pneumatic systems
At the facilities of the Seville Air Maintenance Base, located at San Pablo Airport, a specialised team works every day on a mission that is critical to the operability of the Eurofighter: the recovery and maintenance of its pneumatic systems. This is highly technical work that combines precision, experience and in-depth knowledge of the aeronautical system.
Leading these activities within the ITE team are maintenance technicians Gonzalo Bejarano and Guillermo Novelles, who are responsible for dismantling, cleaning, repairing or replacing the programme’s pneumatic components, before reassembling them and subjecting them to demanding functional tests on dedicated test benches. “Each component goes through a thorough process before being returned to the system. There is no margin for error when it comes to flight safety,” explain members of the Seville team.
Test benches that replicate real flight conditions
The tests are carried out in accordance with strict technical orders and include electrical tests, in-line tests and leak checks, among other procedures. These test benches make it possible to simulate real operating conditions, such as cabin altitude or emergency situations, ensuring that each component meets the required standards before release.
Among the most relevant elements recovered at the maintenance facility is the Molecular Sieve Oxygen Concentrator (M.S.O.C.), responsible for generating oxygen for the pilot, whose test bench reproduces cabin altitude. Also noteworthy are the Emergency Ram Air Valve (E.R.A.V.), which regulates cabin pressure in critical situations, and the Engine Bleed SOV, responsible for controlling engine bleed air.
In 2025 alone, the team has successfully recovered a total of 135 components, a figure that reflects the intensity and importance of the work carried out.
A unique certification outside the maintenance base
One of the most significant milestones of the year has been the certification obtained by Bejarano and Novelles on the Antisurge Valve component, a key system that regulates the amount of purge air released in the Eurofighter’s APU. This accreditation authorises them as the only technicians, outside air force maintenance personnel, qualified to repair this component, recognising the high level of specialisation achieved.
The certification was obtained following a training placement at the facilities of the manufacturer Microtecnica, part of the Safran Group, in Turin (Italy).
“It was a very demanding experience, but also extremely enriching at a professional level. We returned with knowledge that strengthens the programme’s autonomy and technical capability in Spain,” the technicians point out.
Coordination and traceability from Tablada
Technical work is also supported by robust operational management. At a second site of the Seville Air Maintenance Base, located at the Tablada Air Station, Alfonso Grueso performs the role of production control and data analysis at ITE, managing work orders for general overhauls and repairs. His work is key to ensuring material traceability, logistical support and the resolution of any incidents that may arise throughout the programme.
With this human and technical framework in place, the Seville Air Maintenance Base consolidates its role as a strategic node in Eurofighter maintenance, demonstrating that behind every operational aircraft there is a highly qualified team that works, often quietly, to guarantee safety, efficiency and operational excellence.
