Airbus contracts Saab to deliver Eurofighter EK electronic attack payl…

Saab has been contracted to deliver its Arexis electronic suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter EK aircraft, a mock-up of which was displayed at the ILA Berlin Air Show in 2022 (pictured). (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has contracted Saab to deliver its Arexis electronic warfare (EW) suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) requirement, the Swedish company announced on 26 March.

The award came about nine months after Saab was selected in June 2023 by the Luftwaffe, along with its German partner for the Helsing project, to provide the Arexis suite for 15 of the service's existing Eurofighter Tranche 2/3/4 combat aircraft to provide them with an initial electronic attack (EA) capability. As the prime contractor for the Eurofighter EK programme, Airbus DS will integrate the suite.

Saab first told Janes and other defence media in August 2022 that it planned to pitch its Arexis for the Eurofighter EK requirement, with EW and Arexis sales director Mikael Corp describing the suite as “the perfect fit”. The Swedish company is the incumbent provider for the EW system for the Luftwaffe's Panavia Tornado Electronic Combat Role (ECR) that is to be replaced by the Eurofighter EK from 2030.