Hensoldt's GEW unit delivered over 130 electronic warfare systems to Middle East since 2007.

On October 14, 2024, Hensoldt announced that its South African-based GEW business unit has delivered over 130 electronic warfare (EW) systems to the Middle East since 2007. The recent establishment of Hensoldt Middle East in Saudi Arabia aligns with the company’s efforts to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and meet the region's defense modernization needs. In light of current conflict dynamics, Hensoldt’s systems are employed to assist regional forces with intelligence gathering, communication monitoring, and situational awareness, all critical for national security.
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Hensoldt’s land EW portfolio includes technologies to help military forces track hostile emitters, analyze signals, and interpret transmitted content. (Picture source: Hensoldt)

In modern military operations, timely information about adversary forces and the operational environment is essential. Hensoldt’s land-based electromagnetic warfare (EW) systems are designed to provide intelligence that enables forces to monitor and manage the electromagnetic spectrum. These systems offer a framework for understanding the spectrum and improving operational awareness.

Hensoldt’s land EW portfolio includes technologies to help military forces track hostile emitters, analyze signals, and interpret transmitted content. These systems contribute to situational awareness, mission planning, threat management, and mission control, supporting spectrum control operations. The portfolio spans from portable units to scalable network configurations, featuring electronic support (ES) and tactical electronic attack (EA) systems, along with jamming technologies aimed at protecting friendly forces. The systems use data analytics and data fusion to process and analyze large datasets, aiming to improve operations in complex environments.

The systems cover frequencies from HF to SHF and are built to function in crowded frequency environments. This wide frequency range enables Hensoldt’s systems to support operations where control over the spectrum is necessary. The systems also include capabilities for cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA) and can be adapted to various mission requirements. Automated signal processing is intended to assist decision-making, and the system's open architecture allows for future upgrades and adjustments.

The portfolio includes the COMINT Automation Engine (CAE), which is part of Hensoldt’s broader land electromagnetic warfare offerings. CAE is a software solution developed to automate many of the tasks associated with communications intelligence (COMINT) analysis. It integrates wideband core sensors, enabling fast data interfacing, and supports multiple parallel detection streams for both classic and agile (hopper) signals. CAE clusters radio networks for more streamlined intelligence reviews and integrates with electronic attack (EA) systems.

The COMINT Automation Engine (CAE) integrates wideband core sensors, enabling fast data interfacing, and supports multiple parallel detection streams for both classic and agile (hopper) signals. (Picture source: Hensoldt)

The CEA is designed to detect CEMA modes like GSM, LTE, and DVB. The engine incorporates artificial intelligence to assist with signal processing, minimizing operator input. It also processes modern targets like drones and agile frequency hoppers and is intended to provide real-time intelligence for operations on the digital battlefield. The system allows for integration of third-party and custom-developed decoders, facilitating adjustments based on operational needs.

Hensoldt’s EW solutions are designed to support missions related to signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic support (ES), electronic attack (EA), and force protection. These systems are suitable for applications such as reconnaissance, radar support, and signal analysis, offering tools for monitoring and, where necessary, disrupting enemy communications, thereby contributing to situational awareness and asset protection in high-risk scenarios.

Hensoldt has operated for nearly three decades, with numerous systems deployed globally. Its EW solutions are updated regularly to meet evolving defense requirements. The company collaborates with customers to tailor systems to specific operational needs and offers support services, including maintenance, training, and upgrades. Ryno van Staden, Executive Manager of Sales and Marketing at Hensoldt South Africa’s GEW business unit, points out that customer collaboration is a key part of the company’s strategy, ensuring the development of systems that respond to current electronic threat environments.

Hensoldt South Africa provides a range of products and services in defense and security electronics. The company’s offerings span both defense and civil markets, including electronic warfare, optronics, spectrum monitoring, security solutions, radar, IFF, and datalinks. With approximately 800 employees across four locations in South Africa, it serves as Hensoldt Group’s largest industrial base outside of Germany and is a major defense and security electronics provider in South Africa.

Hensoldt, headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich, is a European defense company that develops sensor solutions for defense and security applications, offering platform-independent and networked systems. The company focuses on technological developments in defense electronics and optronics, with an emphasis on data fusion, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. In 2023, Hensoldt reported a turnover of 1.85 billion euros and, following its acquisition of ESG GmbH, now employs around 8,000 people. Hensoldt is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as part of the MDAX index.