The Arexis Digital Warfare suite will change the Eurofighter Storm’s wingtip pods, a part of the fighter’s Defensive Assist Sub-System (DASS).
Germany’s Eurofighter EK program moved ahead on Nov. 14, 2025, with a brand new order for one among its most important modifications. Actually, Swedish protection main Saab introduced a second order from Airbus relating to its Arexis Digital Warfare system.
The Eurofighter EK (Elektronischer Kampf) is a devoted SEAD/DEAD (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Protection) variant of the European jet being developed for the Luftwaffe (German Air Power). Arexis would be the defining function providing the electromagnetic spectrum, radar-killing and self-protection capabilities.
“The second order consists of AI know-how by each Saab and its strategic accomplice Helsing,” Saab defined within the press launch. £The order worth is roughly EUR 258 million and is topic to authority approval.”
The primary EUR 291 million contract signed with Airbus in March 2024 included Arexis’ integration with the Eurofighter EK. The mixed complete contract worth now stands at EUR 549 million.
The supply interval for this newest second order is deliberate for 2025-2028, whereas the primary order was stipulated to be accomplished by 2024-26. Saab’s Arexis pods will change the 2 present wingtip pods on the Eurofighter, used to host the Defensive Assist Sub-System (DASS).
Saab receives orders for Arexis system for German Eurofighter.
We’re proud to announce that we now have obtained two orders from Airbus Defence and Area for our Arexis digital warfare sensor suite to equip German Eurofighters.
Learn extra:
— Saab (@Saab) November 14, 2025
Fast progress
Airbus introduced the Eurofighter EK, developed as a successor to the older Twister ECR (Digital Fight/Reconnaissance), on Nov. 29, 2023. The corporate has been working with the Bundeswehr’s (German Armed Forces) protection gear procurement division, the BAAINBw, the Luftwaffe (German Air Power) and the Bundeswehr Aviation Workplace “on an in depth schedule for the implementation of the chosen EK options in 15 Eurofighters.”
These first 15 plane is not going to be newly constructed, however reasonably plane already in service modified to satisfy the brand new position. It’s unclear if work is already underway on these Eurofighters, nevertheless a brand new contract was accredited in October 2025 to proceed the actions.
“We’re proud to ship Arexis to the German Air Power, which additional strengthens the Swedish-German cooperation,” mentioned Saab’s President and CEO Micael Johansson within the newest press launch. “Arexis is likely one of the most superior absolutely digital sensors and jamming methods accessible available on the market. The system will enhance the Eurofighter’s situational consciousness and survivability on the trendy battlefield.”
German Eurofighter Tranche 4 and Tranche 5
The Luftwaffe has round 130 Eurofighters (Germany doesn’t formally use the Storm identify), which embody plane delivered from Tranche 1 to Tranche 3. The service has signed on for 38 Tranche 4 jets as part of Undertaking Quadriga to exchange an equal variety of older Tranche 1s, in addition to 20 extra as a part of Tranche 5.
The Tranche 5 Eurofighters can have the brand new European Widespread Radar System (ECRS) Mk 1 AESA (Energetic Electronically Scanned Array) radar, also referred to as the E-Scan, as its most vital improve. This radar, at present in testing, is ready to be geared up by German and Spanish Eurofighters.
Tranche 5 plane will doubtless be produced with the Part 4 Enhancements (P4E) modifications introduced in 2024. This configuration consists of an automatic sensor administration functionality for all Storm radars that may allow the brand new AESA radar to undertake a number of simultaneous duties, whereas decreasing the pilot workload.
Different upgrades embody an improved cockpit interface and enhanced Radio Frequency Interoperability (RFIO); a Massive Space Show that may probably be included within the new cockpit interface; and a Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) for all prospects.
German Eurofighter EK SEAD variant
The German Eurofighter EK program, which Airbus initially introduced in 2019 because the Eurofighter ECR (Digital Fight/Reconnaissance), is being developed as a successor to the Twister ECR. As talked about above, Airbus will retrofit 15 present German Eurofighters for this new mission, which will probably be NATO-certified by 2030.
Furthermore, the Tranche 5 plane may also be modified to the EK configuration, because the MoD talked about they might change the Twister ECR, probably from the manufacturing facility itself.
The German MoD had beforehand mentioned: “The Eurofighter is to be optimized with the AREXIS self-protection system and corresponding air-to-ground guided missiles and additional enabled for digital warfare.” Arexis is provided with high-power gallium nitride GaN AESAs and ultra-wideband receivers and Digital Radio Frequency Reminiscences (DRFMs) and is claimed to be able to neutralizing Anti Entry/Space Denial (A2/AD) methods.
Arexis was initially developed for the Gripen as a podded answer, with Saab having beforehand mentioned it may be absolutely built-in on-board an plane or fitted externally as a missionized pod, releasing paintings of the Eurofighter EK to indicate a attainable configuration.
Moreover Saab’s Arexis, the Eurofighter EK may also use the AGM-88E AARGM, and different applied sciences developed by small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. Notably, these embody an AI answer that makes it attainable to investigate radar information on-board and shortly decide exact self-protection measures.
Airbus had mentioned on Nov. 29, 2023, that the mixture of Saab’s transmitter location system and Northrop Grumman’s AARGM will allow the jet to “detect, localise and disable anti-aircraft radars.” Arexis additionally “has jammers that enhance the Eurofighter’s self-protection,” the corporate added.
AGM-88E AARGM and Twister ECRs
The AGM-88E AARGM (Superior Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) is an development over the AGM-88 HARM (Excessive-Velocity Anti-Radiation Missile). Its lively millimeter-wave radar seeker aids focusing on ground-based air protection radars even after they cease emitting.
Anti-air radar crews usually intermittently activate their radars simply to have the ability to shortly examine for aerial threats, however not lengthy sufficient to disclose their place. The brand new seeker was particularly designed for these conditions.
German Twister ECRs nonetheless type the spine of the Luftwaffe’s SEAD/DEAD missions, having been captured at U.S.-based check services just like the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, California, firing the AARGMs in check flights. As per the World Air Forces 2025 report that counted figures up till December 2024, Germany operates 21 airframes of the Twister ECR variant, and 63 within the IDS (Interdictor/Strike) model.
Most likely the good factor I’ve been in a position to photograph- German Tornados launching missile throughout their current live-fire marketing campaign at China Lake 🇩🇪🌪️🚀 pic.twitter.com/fInLbpMObV
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) April 28, 2025
