Rohde & Schwarz & ELT Group Form Global Strategic EW Partnership Across Domains

Rohde & Schwarz and ELT Group Forge Global Multi-Domain EW Alliance at Berlin Security Conference

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Nov 20, 2025 - : 6:24 am

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Rohde & Schwarz and Italy’s ELT Group have announced a landmark expansion of their strategic defence cooperation, signaling a push far beyond naval electronic-warfare (EW) into aerospace, land, space and cyber domains. The announcement, made at the Berlin Security Conference, marks a bold re-orientation by two European technology heavyweights toward multi-domain electronic defence on a global scale.

The two firms, which previously collaborated on the modernisation of Germany’s F124 Sachsen-class frigates, say they intend to broaden their joint efforts to develop sovereign EW solutions for a wider set of theatres. According to the original press release by Rohde & Schwarz, this enlarged alliance reflects a shared recognition of the rapidly evolving security environment and the growing demand for integrated, cross-domain electromagnetic capabilities.

The partnership builds on their recent successes in naval EW: ELT Group was selected by Rohde & Schwarz to supply advanced components for communications, radar electronic support measures (R-ESM) and radar electronic countermeasures (R-ECM) for the German Navy’s F124 Sachsen-class frigates, as well as for the Polish Navy’s upcoming Miecznick-class multirole frigates. Rohde & Schwarz’s role involves integrating its KORA family of systems — such as R&S KORA 40 — which provide high-sensitivity detection, tracking and analysis of emissions across the electromagnetic spectrum.

This move is significant not just for Europe but has clear implications for the Asia-Pacific defence market. As many regional nations increasingly prioritise electronic warfare, cyber resilience, and sovereign defence capabilities, a multi-domain partnership like this could influence how future procurement and collaboration models develop. ELT Group already has a broad global footprint, and Rohde & Schwarz’s expertise in secure communications and spectrum management could offer compelling solutions to Asia-Pacific governments looking to bolster their own EW and information-superiority postures.

ELT Group’s strength lies in its multi-domain expertise: with more than 70 years in electronic defence, the company now spans cyber, space, and even bio-defense. Moreover, ELT operates in over 30 countries and is involved in significant future-generation programmes, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). On its part, Rohde & Schwarz reported revenue of EUR 3.16 billion in FY 2024/25 (roughly US$3.4 billion), with more than 15,000 employees globally.

Analysts suggest the timing of this expanded partnership could not be more relevant. The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing accelerated investments in EW, cyber-defence, and space-based reconnaissance. By offering sovereign, “made-in-Europe” multi-domain EW systems, Rohde & Schwarz and ELT Group may be well-positioned to serve both NATO-aligned and non-aligned countries looking to reduce reliance on non-European suppliers.

At the Berlin Security Conference, both companies stressed that the new cooperation is not transactional but long-term — aimed at co-developing next-generation capabilities that align with shifting threat paradigms, from hybrid warfare to contested space environments. Their common vision underlines the importance of interoperability, secure sovereign supply chains, and resilience in the electromagnetic domain.

In short, the Rohde & Schwarz–ELT Group alliance represents more than just a contract expansion: it is a strategic bet on the future of multi-domain electronic defence — one with potential ripple effects across the Asia-Pacific’s rapidly changing security architecture.