Israeli Elbit Systems announced on June 14 that it was awarded an additional contract by Airbus Helicopters for the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, for the provision of Airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection systems for the Sikorsky CH-53 GS/GE Sea Stallion transport helicopters, as part of the platform upgrade program led by Airbus Helicopters.
Under the contract, Elbit Systems, supported by Elbit Systems Deutschland, will provide digital Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), EW Controllers (EWC) and Counter Measure Dispensing Systems (CMDS). The digital RWR and EWC rapidly detect and accurately locate a wide range of threats, even in a dense EW environment, enabling reliable and timely warning and effective protection. The systems feature complete and independent threat programmability, enabling the seamless update of emitter libraries as well as flight data recording for pilot debriefing and training. Coupled with the CMDS the entire system provides the German Air Force with a high level of operational effectiveness.
During the 2010s, Germany was reportedly considering options for replacing its aging CH-53G fleet, with candidates including the Chinook and the CH-53K model. On 29 September 2020, the German Ministry of Defense cancelled the “Schwerer Transporthubschrauber” (STH) heavy-lifting helicopter program for 45 to 60 helicopters after the initiative was judged to be too expensive and stated that its CH-53Gs fleet would be replaced following a period of reexamination. In 2022, the Federal Government announced that all of Germany’s CH-53s would be replaced by 60 CH-47F Chinooks.