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Elbit Systems Secures $275M Deal to Supply Helicopter Self-Protection Suite to Asia-Pacific Country.
Elbit Systems has secured a $275 million contract to deliver an integrated electronic warfare and self-protection suite for an Asia-Pacific military’s helicopter fleet over five years. The award highlights how regional forces are prioritizing survivability upgrades as missile threats and contested airspace become more common.
On January 12, 2026, Elbit Systems announced it has been selected by an Asia-Pacific defense customer to supply a comprehensive airborne electronic warfare and self-protection solution for its rotary-wing aircraft, according to company statements. Valued at approximately $275 million, the five-year agreement covers system delivery, integration, and ongoing support, positioning the helicopters for operations in higher-threat environments where shoulder-fired missiles and radar-guided systems are increasingly prevalent.
Elbit Systems has won a $275 million, five-year contract to equip an Asia-Pacific military’s helicopter fleet with an integrated self-protection and airborne electronic warfare suite, reflecting rising concern over missile threats in the region (Picture Source: Elbit Systems)
Elbit Systems has secured a $275 million contract to supply an Asia-Pacific military customer with a fully integrated airborne electronic warfare suite, including the company’s combat-proven Mini-MUSIC™ Directed Infrared Counter-Measure (DIRCM) system. The five-year agreement marks one of the most significant regional wins for Elbit in the helicopter survivability domain and highlights a growing demand for advanced self-protection solutions amid intensifying missile threats across the Indo-Pacific.
The new systems will be configured for a specific helicopter platform, tailored to the operational needs of the customer. Although the recipient country remains unnamed due to defense sensitivities, sources familiar with regional procurement trends suggest the platforms involved fall within the medium-lift rotary-wing category, which are increasingly being upgraded across the region for enhanced survivability in high-threat environments.
At the core of Elbit’s offering is a next-generation electronic warfare suite combining real-time threat detection, multi-spectral sensing, signal processing, and automated countermeasure deployment. The package features radar and laser warning receivers, electronic support measures, and advanced countermeasure dispensers. Anchoring the system is the Mini-MUSIC DIRCM, a lightweight, compact laser-based defense system engineered to defeat infrared-guided missiles by detecting, tracking, and jamming their seeker heads with precision-directed energy.
Proven in multiple combat zones and currently fielded by several NATO and European air forces, the Mini-MUSIC has logged hundreds of thousands of operational flight hours. Its modular design enables seamless integration onto both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, providing an optimal solution for air forces operating across varied terrains and threat spectrums. The DIRCM’s rapid-response capability is especially critical for helicopters, which often operate at low altitudes within MANPADS engagement envelopes.
Elbit’s system will deliver automated protection across complex, multi-domain environments, significantly reducing crew workload while enhancing aircraft survivability and mission continuity. The configuration selected for this contract reflects Elbit’s expanding role as a key supplier of electronic warfare systems to Indo-Pacific militaries focused on deterring missile ambushes and asymmetric threats.
Company president and CEO Bezhalel “Butzi” Machlis framed the award as a continuation of deepening partnerships in the region. “These contracts reflect the growing trust of our Asia-Pacific customers in Elbit Systems’ advanced, combat-proven self-protection solutions for helicopters,” Machlis said. “Our integrated EW and DIRCM systems provide highly advanced threat detection and countermeasure capabilities, enhancing aircraft survivability and operational effectiveness in complex mission environments.”
This latest contract adds to a series of recent airborne self-protection deals Elbit has signed with NATO and European nations, underscoring the global relevance of its DIRCM technology. While neither delivery schedules nor sustainment details were disclosed, the agreement is expected to include system integration, training support, and in-service assistance to ensure full operational capability.
As regional air forces modernize in response to evolving anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threats, the demand for integrated EW and laser-based protection systems is accelerating. Helicopters operating in contested airspace are particularly vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles and heat-seeking threats, making survivability upgrades not just a technological advantage but a mission-critical requirement.
With this contract, Elbit solidifies its position as a global leader in airborne defense technology and reinforces its strategic role in equipping Asia-Pacific allies with next-generation protective systems that meet the demands of modern conflict.