The Pentagon has launched a new tender process for maintenance and support services at the joint-use air base in Moron de la Frontera (Sevilla).
The move points to a continued long-term US military presence in Spain, despite repeated threats of withdrawal from president Donald Trump and his administration.
The contract, which covers so-called Base Operation Services (BOS), will run for an initial period of up to seven years, starting in 2028 when the current agreement expires, with the possibility of extensions taking operations through to 2035.
Tender process underway
The process formally enters its next phase on May 1, when the US Air Force – acting on behalf of the Pentagon – will issue the official service request following months of consultation with private contractors.
In recent days, representatives from several firms have visited the Moron base to assess the scope of the work, although their identities have not been disclosed.
The contract falls under the US military’s ‘facility support services’ category, covering everything from infrastructure maintenance to operational support.
Signal of continued US presence
Despite recent political rhetoric – including suggestions about reducing US military presence in Europe – the new contract indicates no immediate plans to withdraw from Spain.
Instead, it reinforces Moron’s strategic role as a key US military hub in southern Europe.
Changes to contract structure
Unlike previous arrangements, the Morón contract will now be handled separately from a similar agreement for the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.
According to US officials, splitting the contracts could offer better flexibility and value than managing both bases under a single agreement.
Impact on Spanish workers
The new contract includes a key condition: the incoming contractor must initially retain the existing Spanish workforce.
Currently, around 260 Spanish employees remain working under the present contractor, KBR – a significant drop from around 620 workers in 2010 after years of restructuring and job cuts.
Trade unions have raised concerns about job stability, with workers calling for conditions similar to those at the naval base in Rota to avoid what they describe as ‘political uncertainty’.
Ongoing labour tensions
The workforce is currently negotiating a new collective agreement, with mediation involving Andalucia’s labour dispute body.
Key demands include stronger job protections, pension guarantees and the continuation of a long-standing rule requiring new contractors to absorb existing staff.
For now, the tender process highlights both the strategic importance of Moron and the ongoing tensions over how that presence translates into jobs and stability on the ground.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
