Update: Luftwaffe selects Saab to provide Eurofighter EK electronic attack payload

A mock-up of the Eurofighter EK, featuring a generic escort jammer pod, was showcased at the ILA Berlin Air Show in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Luftwaffe has selected the Saab Arexis electronic warfare (EW) suite for its Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) requirement, the Swedish company confirmed on 16 June.

Saab and its German partner for the project, Helsing, confirmed a Der Spiegel report from 13 June that said the selection will see the two companies provide the suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter EK electronic attack (EA) escort jammer aircraft by 2030. Integration will be done by Airbus as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Eurofighter in Germany.

News of the selection came six-and-a-half months after the Luftwaffe told Janes it had delayed its decision that was due by the end of 2022, saying in early January that an announcement would not be made until July “at the earliest”.

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.