U.A.E. Orders DIRCM, Airborne EW Self Protection Systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Emirates Limited based in the U.A.E., a subsidiary of Israeli firm Elbit Systems, won approximately $53 million to supply Direct Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) and airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) systems for the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft of the U.A.E. Air Force.

Israel-U.A.E. ties have expanded in technologically-sensitive fields in the year since the signing of Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the United States of America. For instance, the two countries signed a historic space exploration cooperation agreement at the 2020 Expo Dubai in October and will collaborate on the “Beresheet II” mission destined for the Moon. Last year’s edition of the Dubai Airshow held in November saw the participation of several Israeli companies including Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael and Elbit Systems, a first.

Elbit Systems said it views the U.A.E as an “important market” and believes that this contract award further highlights the technological advantage and maturity of the solutions offered by the Company in this field.

The contract will be performed over a five-year period.

Under the contract, Elbit Systems Emirates will deliver a multi-turret configuration of the J-MUSIC Self-Protection System together with the Company’s Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning System, providing high levels of protection and redundancy. The Company’s DIRCM systems have accumulated more than 350,000 operational flight hours to date, and are installed onboard more than 25 types of aircraft. The Company is witnessing a growing demand for this type of self-protection capabilities in light of the rising threat that aircraft face from shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles.