The Greek Ministry of Defence has cancelled the international competition to find an electronic warfare suite for the 50 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50Plus procured by the Greek air force. Instead, Athens has asked the Greek aerospace industry to supply the system.
In March, immediately after Greece decided to buy F-16s, the MoD issued an international tender to supply an advanced EW suite for the new fighters. Thomson-CSF, Raytheon and Elisra submitted bids, with the Israeli company teaming with Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI) for the $200 million competition.
The MoD recently cancelled the tender and commissioned HAI to supply the EW system. The ministry has not explained its decision, but Greek sources say it wanted to bolster the capability of HAI in developing advanced electronic systems.
The Greek air force commander visited Israel in mid-January for a briefing on the Elisra advanced self-protection suite (ASPS) offered by the Israeli company.
F-16s operated by the Greek air force are equipped with the Litton/BAE Systems/Raytheon advanced self-protection integrated suite (ASPIS). Raytheon was offering the Greek air force an advanced version of the system.
Sources suggest that the US company is exerting strong pressure on Athens to reopen the competition.
The Israeli Ministry of Defence has been supporting the Elisra bid after changing its policy towards Israeli defence companies operating in Greece.
So far, such an operation has been kept low-profile because of the close defence relations between Israel and Turkey.
The Elisra ASPS is based on the experience that Elisra gained in developing EW systems for Israeli air force Boeing F-15Is. The Israeli company will also supply systems for the F-16Is selected by Tel Aviv last year.
Source: Flight International
