Italy approves the purchase of the EA-37B electronic attack mission system | News

Italy has received important export authorization from the USA to purchase the latest version electronic attack US Air Force (USAF) equipment.

The U.S. State Department’s arms control authorities on Oct. 7 approved a request from Rome involving sensitive mission systems powering the Gulfstream G550-based EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack jet.

The deal is valued at $680 million and includes a complex package of BAE Systems radars, transmitters, targeting computers and encrypted communications systems designed to jam enemy air defense radars and communications.

“The proposed sale will improve Italy’s ability to address current and future threats by increasing interoperability with the country [USAF] and disruption of enemy command and control communications when Italy is involved in emergency operations abroad,” the Foreign Ministry said.

It is noteworthy that the Pentagon only recently started operating the EA-37B with the first example delivered to the Air Force in August. The business jet version of the Compass Call will replace the older EC-130H electronic attack platform housed in a Lockheed Martin C-130 transport.

Both aircraft were designated Compass Call, with BAE Systems providing the respective mission system packages. L3Harris serves as an integrator for both programs and oversees the aircraft modifications required to operate the specialized equipment.

The older Compass Call saw active use during the U.S.-led war in Iraq, where it disrupted insurgent communications systems used to trigger improvised explosive devices.

In a conflict against an industrialized adversary, the compass call would be used to disrupt the enemy’s air defenses, communications, navigation systems, intelligence gathering, and command and control networks.

The USAF plans to deploy a fleet of 10 EA-37Bs. The EC-130H will be phased out with the delivery of the newer Compass Call jets.

Only one other aircraft in the US inventory carries the electronic attack designation “EA-” – the US Navy’s Boeing EA-18G Growler. The USAF has not fielded a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft since the 1990s, despite recent statements from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicate a growing interest in electronic warfare within the service.

Italy’s latest defense procurement strategy, released in September, References the planned acquisition of the EA-37B (previously designated EC-37), but does not provide any information on quantities or schedules.

Rome already operates two G550s as airborne early warning aircraft and uses onboard mission systems from Israeli Aerospace Industries. The two jets were delivered to the Italian Air Force in 2016 and 2018.

The latest Italian defense planning document calls for the acquisition of additional Gulfstream G550-based assets for air early warning, battlefield management and communications tasks.

Rome still needs to agree on the exact contract terms with BAE Systems before a final deal on the Pentagon’s foreign military sales mechanism can be finalized

BAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.