Rafael and Hensoldt to go after German Typhoon EW ambitions
The companies will integrate and enhance Rafael’s Sky Shield airborne electronic warfare pod as an escort jammer with Hensoldt’s Kalaetron. (Photo: Rafael)
Rafael and Hensoldt's existing capabilities could support the German Air Force's decision to adopt the Eurofighter as an electronic attack platform with IOC in 2028.
Rafael and sensor solutions provider Hensoldt have signed a teaming agreement to offer EW capabilities to the German Air Force.
Under the agreement, signed on 18 October, the partners agreed to integrate and enhance Rafael’s Sky Shield airborne EW pod as an escort jammer with Hensoldt’s Kalaetron Attack electronic attack (EA) capability.
IOC is planned for 2028.
The companies claim their capability could support the German Air Force’s decision to adapt the Eurofighter into an EA platform.
‘The new EA pod utilizes the existing interfaces of the Litening Pod, already combat-proven on the Typhoon, thus significantly simplifying the integration efforts and saving invaluable resources,’ Rafael noted in a press statement.
In March, however, Germany’s defence minister Christine Lambrecht announced that a new Eurofighter Electronic Combat Role (ECR) variant had been selected for the Luftwaffe, scrapping a proposal from the last government to buy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft.
This has not been confirmed since, but Eurofighter manufacturer Airbus said the aircraft would be available from 2026 to offer operators ‘a variety of modular configurations for electronic attack.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon]()
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
![Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision]()
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
-
![November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs]()
November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs
In November 2025, GA-ASI unveiled a new Gambit variant, the Gambit 6, and appears to be pitching the aircraft series to various customers in the Middle East, which is a fast-emerging CCA market. The Dubai Airshow also saw the unveiling of various Emirati aircraft from Edge Group.
-
![Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill]()
Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill
This test is the latest milestone achieved by the indigenous drone, destroying a target using a beyond-visual-range missile.
