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Luftwaffe confirms intent to expand scope of Eurofighter EK capability

By Gareth Jennings |

A mock-up of the Eurofighter Tranche 5 was showcased at the ILA Berlin Air Show in June, featuring many of the capabilities envisioned for the Eurofighter EK. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Luftwaffe will expand the scope of its Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) electronic combat programme, with a senior officer telling Janes on 15 October that a Step 2 will follow the currently contracted airframes with additional capabilities.

Speaking ahead of the IQPC International Fighter Conference 2024 (IFC 24) running in Berlin in early November, Commanding General of Air Force Forces Command Lieutenant General Günter Katz said that it is the Luftwaffe's intent to roll-out Step 2 to add to the baseline capabilities to be fitted to 15 aircraft now contracted to be retrofitted.

“In a second step we envision to further enhance the Eurofighter's electronic warfare (EW) capability. Our vision ranges from escort jammer pods to man-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) solutions, which are currently being worked out in co-operation with our industry partners,” Lt Gen Katz said.

The Luftwaffe has contracted Airbus to build 15 Step 1 Eurofighter EK aircraft, comprising retrofitted Tranche 2/3/4 aircraft equipped with an integrated Saab Arexis emitter locator system (ELS) and the Northrop Grumman AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM).

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