UK defense company Babcock International and Turkey’s Aselsan have signed an agreement to jointly assess options for supporting the Royal Air Force’s future electronic warfare training capability.
The collaboration will examine a possible Surface Electronic Warfare Threat training system under the RAF’s Next Generation Operational Training framework. The program seeks to update aircrew training by exposing personnel to realistic contested airspace threats, reducing reliance on costly live exercises.
The initiative underscores the UK’s focus on preparing its forces for high-intensity conflict scenarios as potential adversaries deploy increasingly advanced air defense and electronic warfare capabilities.
As part of the study, Babcock and Aselsan will consider whether a jointly developed system could replicate modern Integrated Air Defence Systems, including radar and surface-to-air missile threats. This would allow aircrew to train in realistic electronic warfare environments using scalable and reconfigurable threat simulations.
Babcock will apply its experience in providing training and operational support to UK armed forces, while Aselsan will contribute its electronic warfare system expertise. No information has been released on timelines, funding, or final system design, and any future capability would remain subject to UK Ministry of Defence approval.
