Italy signs $300M deal for 2 Gulfstream G550 electronic attack EA-37B Compass Call aircraft
July 23, 2025
Italy has signed a contract to purchase two advanced L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft. This marks the first time a foreign country has purchased the specialised American electronic attack aircraft.
Italy signs contract to purchase two EA-37B Compass Call aircraft
The primary contractor, L3Harris, has shared that Italy has signed a contract worth $300 million (£222 million) for two EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack (EA) aircraft. The US Department of State had previously cleared the way for the deal in October 2024. This will make Italy the first export customer for the new EA aircraft.
It is unclear when these aircraft will be delivered and if any other US allies are interested in purchasing the specialised aircraft. The USAF plans to acquire a total of ten examples. Of these, five have been delivered and are operated by the 55th Electronic Combat Group.
The United Kingdom’s BAE Systems is one of the leading contractors involved in the program. BAE has received a $12 million (£9 million) contract from L3Harris to provide hardware to modify the aircraft, including racks, radomes, cables, and harnesses.
L3Harris states, “The modified G550 with electromagnetic attack capabilities will provide the Italian Air Force with an airborne jamming ability with range, altitude and endurance to disrupt enemy command and control communications, radars and navigation systems from an extended distance.”
Role of electronic attack aircraft
Electronic attack aircraft, such as the EA-37B, are designed to disrupt enemy command and control communications, as well as radars and navigation systems. Among other things, they interrupt an enemy’s ability to fire surface-to-air missiles at aircraft.
These aircraft play a central role in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions, opening the door for Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD).
After 3.5 years of war, the numerically superior and technologically more advanced Russian Air Force has been unable to overcome Ukraine’s formidable air defence network and limited, ageing air force. For many observers, the RAF’s inability to secure air superiority over Ukraine was one of the greatest surprises of the war.
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) credits the Russian Air Force’s dramatic underperformance to its “inability to conduct successful suppression and/or destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD) operations…” It adds that the lack of SEAD/DEAD capabilities crippled the battlefield effectiveness of both air forces.
United States Air Force electronic warfare aircraft
Currently, Italy is the only export customer for the United States Air Force EA-37B Compass Call. These electronic warfare (EW) aircraft are based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet and are replacing the USAF’s ageing fleet of EC-130H Compass Call aircraft. Those previous-generation EW aircraft are based on the legendary C-130 Hercules tactical airlifters and are being sent to the boneyard.
The first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft were transferred to the US Air Force at Davis-Monthan and are working up as crew train on the new platform. The first training sortie was completed in May 2025. In the US military, they are complemented by the Navy’s EA-18G Growler and modified Air Force F-16 fighter jets.
The US military puts a huge amount of emphasis on its EW and EA capabilities. Capabilities with allied air forces vary, e.g., Australia is the only export customer of the EA-18G Growler, operating a fleet of twelve. RUSI states no non-US Western air force has “any serious SEAD/DEAD capability.”
