A German parliamentary budget committee has approved equipping 15 Eurofighter Typhoons for electronic warfare.
Airbus will outfit the aircraft with the Saab transmitter location and self-protection system and Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles.
The combined solution will enable the aircraft to detect, locate, and disable anti-aircraft radars and improve its self-protection.
Electronic Warfare Suite
Saab earlier announced that its Arexis electronic warfare suite had been selected for integration with German Eurofighters.
The suite was initially developed for the Swedish Gripen fighter in pod form.
Equipped with high-power gallium nitride active electronically scanned arrays, ultra-wideband receivers, and digital radio frequency memories, the suite is capable of jamming “anti-stealth” radars and penetrating the anti-access/area denial bubble.
To Strengthen Europe’s Security
“Electronic warfare and reconnaissance are an important NATO requirement: current conflicts and the present security situation show how important the two capabilities are,” Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schollhorn said.
“In this respect, the German government’s decision to include such an important capability as electronic warfare in the Eurofighter capability portfolio is an important measure. EK will add this important capability to the already broad operational spectrum of the Eurofighter while strengthening European sovereignty and autonomy.”
To Replace Tornado
The Eurofighter EK (electronic combat) will replace the German Air Force’s Tornado in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) role following NATO certification in 2030.
It marks the aircraft as the successor of the German Air Force’s Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance).
Airbus is waiting for a formal order from the German government.
A corresponding contract between the prime contractor Eurofighter GmbH and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency is expected before the end of the year.