Firms Partner To Provide EW Systems For German And Polish Frigates

German firm Rohde & Schwarz and the Italian ELT Group will together be providing electronic warfare (EW) systems for two navies’ frigates: the Polish Navy’s new Swordfish class and the German Navy’s F124-class vessels.

The two companies are teaming up after Rohde & Schwarz was recently commissioned to supply and integrate systems for communications, radar electronic support measures and radar countermeasures (C-ESM/R-ESM/R-ECM) for the three German Sachsen-class frigates.

It was also awarded the contract to provide communications and radar electronic support measures (C-ESM/R-ESM) for the three Miecznick multi-role frigates.

As per a recent Rohde & Schwarz press statement, ELT Group's involvement “is part of the framework of these recent acquisitions of EW Systems by Rohde & Schwarz, through the supply of its most advanced solutions for the R-ESM and R-ECM systems.”

Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz Vertriebs-GmbH Alexander Philipp said the pairing was a natural extension of the two firms’ cooperation on the German Navy's F126 programme.

He commented: “This order represents a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two companies and the German-Italian defence cooperation.”

Domitilla Benigni, ELT Group CEO & COO, added: “We are very pleased with the signing of these important contracts with Rohde & Schwarz.

“They represent a starting point to further strengthen the value proposition towards our customers, enhanced even more by our long-standing presence in Europe. We look forward to working closely to ensure its successful execution.”

Electronic defence systems specialists ELT Group is headquartered in Italy, but has bases in 11 countries across three continents. It has contributed to a series of major European defence projects including the FREMM frigate and Typhoon Eurofighter.

Rohde & Schwarz is a privately owned, Munich-based firm which reported revenues of close to €3 billion in its last financial year and boasts in excess of 14,000 employees across the globe.

• You can read more details on the Rohde & Schwarz website and the ELT Group website