Saab begins German Eurofighter EW sensor suit works
The German defence procurement office announced the selection of the Arexis system last June. (Photo: Eurofighter GmbH)
The enhanced Eurofighters will replace the ageing Tornado ECR jets in the German Air Force’s fleet.
Saab has received an order from Airbus to upgrade 15 German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters with the Arexis Electronic Warfare (EW) sensor suit.
The German defence procurement office announced the selection of the Arexis system last June and the recent contract award has marked the start of the first phase of the order.
Once completed, the upgraded Eurofighters will replace the German Air Force’s Tornado Electronic Combat Reconnaissance (ECR) jets. The Bundeswehr announced the replacement of its Tornado division in March 2022, with phasing out of the Tornado ECRs entirely between 2025 and 2030. Some of the ECR and IDS jets will be replaced by F-35As.
Defence AI company Helsing will support Saab in the Arexis programme by providing its AI platform which will be integrated into the Arexis suite. The new EW sensor suit was said to enable the fighters to detect, locate and identify radar emitters in complex and congested electromagnetic environments.
“Combining advanced hardware and AI-enabled software, our Arexis sensor suite will strengthen the German defence with future-proof electronic warfare capability for decades to come,” said Micael Johansson, CEO and president of Saab.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk]()
US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk
The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
-
![US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft]()
US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
-
![Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production]()
Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production
The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.
