Fighter Jets Fly Over Costa del Sol in Eagle Eye Drills Fighter jets soar over Málaga and the Costa del Sol this week as joint armed forces conduct large-scale aerial and naval defence training exercises. Sky-high manoeuvres across southern Spain Residents and holidaymakers across the Costa del Sol have been looking up this week as the unmistakable sound of supersonic aircraft echoes along the coast. The Spanish Armed Forces launched their extensive Eagle Eye 26-03 joint defence exercise on Monday 21 September, bringing coordinated military drills directly over Málaga province and into the waters of the northern Alboran Sea. Running continuously until Friday 25 September, the operation integrates air, maritime, and land units to test national airspace surveillance and rapid response readiness across the southern peninsula. Combat jets and maritime patrols The prominent visual and acoustic feature of the operation involves six F-18 fighter jets, which have been staging interception runs, patrol formations, and mock scramble operations over the coastline. Supporting the air component from the water is an advanced F-100 class anti-air warfare frigate positioned in regional waters, working alongside land-based anti-aircraft artillery batteries. While the drills create momentary bursts of intense noise, especially around coastal corridors and near airport approaches, authorities have confirmed that civil aviation continues normal operations without schedule disruptions. What coastal residents need to know For international residents living along coastal stretches between Málaga, Torremolinos, and east towards the Axarquía, occasional low-altitude aircraft sightings and engine noise are expected to continue through Friday afternoon. Emergency services have reassured the public that the activity is routine training and requires no safety precautions from the public, offering aviation enthusiasts a rare vantage point along coastal promenades.