Germany's decision to adapt the Eurofighter into an electronic attack platform has prompted industry to begin scrambling to deliver a product before the end of the decade. Berlin wants to have an operational electronic attack and escort-jamming capability-called Luftgestutzte Wirk-ung im Elektromagnetischen Spek-trum (airborne action in the electromagnetic spectrum), or LuWes for short-in service by 2030 to meet a NATO commitment, but significant time has already been lost. In 2019, Airbus proposed a dedicated airborne electronic attack version of the Eurofighter, dubbed the Euro-fighter ECR (for electronic combat/ reconaissance), which would have been based on the Eurofighter's Long-Term Evolution midlife update. The OEM had planned to work closely with German defense electronics company Hensoldt to develop escort-jamming pods for the aircraft, but when the Merkel administration opted to buy Boeing's EA-18G Growler platform in early 2020, Eurofighter ECR development was quietly shelved. The expectation was that the off-the-shelf Growler would enable Germany to meet the NATO commitment. However, the arrival of the Scholz administration at the end of last year led to a recalibration of Germany's Panavia Tornado replacement plans. Rather than acquiring Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Growlers, Berlin opted for the Lockheed Martin F-35, while the Eurofighter reemerged as the platform for electronic attack. Funding to support development and purchase of the capability was included in the €100 billion ($106 billion) German Armed Forces special fund.
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