The Spanish Navy has awarded a contract to The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) to provide engineering, maintenance and logistical support to its fleet of AV8B Harrier II, AV8B Harrier II Plus and Cessna aircraft.

Under the contract, EADS will provide engineering and technical assistance, continued airworthiness support and airworthiness certification for all fixed-wing aircraft in the fleet.

The AV-8B Harrier II Plus is a multimission, short-take-off and vertical landing tactical strike combat aircraft designed to destroy a wide range of weapons including air-to-surface weapon systems, Sparrow missiles, anti-ship Harpoon and Sea Eagle missiles and a range of bombs and rockets.

The Harrier II Plus, joined the Spanish Navy in 1997, can be operated from small aircraft carriers and large amphibious assault ships. The Cessna aircraft has been operating in the Spanish defence forces since 1964.

The contract is worth $13m and will run for four years.