Elbit Systems adds electronic warfare and 30mm guns to its naval defense suite

Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company, said Nov. 3 that it is expanding a naval protection suite that combines electronic warfare, anti-drone tools, guns and sonar.

The company is taking part in the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris, according to its news release. Elbit said the suite reflects changing naval needs, including unmanned systems and underwater threats.

Elbit calls the package a “unified naval protection suite.” Customers can deploy single capabilities or integrated versions, the company said. Elbit also describes a broader maritime portfolio spanning combat management and command-and-control technology, communications, weapon systems and precision munitions, unmanned platforms and coastal protection. Euronaval, a naval defense trade show, runs Nov. 3 to 6 in Villepinte, near Paris, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The Jerusalem Post reported Oct. 29 that Elbit will also show underwater drones for the first time, after acquiring International Submarine Engineering in October. The Nov. 3 release does not name the drones.

How the layers work

The first layer is electronic self-protection. Elbit lists its Aqua Marine naval electronic warfare solutions and DESEAVER Mk-4 countermeasure dispenser, which it said protect against radar-guided threats.

Countermeasures of this kind typically release decoys, such as foil strips called chaff, that confuse a missile’s radar. Elbit also lists jamming and spoofing of GNSS, the family of satellite navigation systems that includes GPS. Jamming blocks the signal, and spoofing feeds a receiver false positions.

The second layer is counter-drone defense. Elbit said it combines DAiR radar, electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare, and GNSS disruption to detect, track, and disrupt aerial threats. Electro-optical sensors are typically cameras that work in visible or infrared light. The release uses the broader term counter-UxS, which covers unmanned systems of any kind, but its description of the capability says counter-UAS, which refers to aircraft only.

The third layer is kinetic defense. Elbit lists a 30mm Naval Surface Gun that fires SkyBurst 30mm proximity fuse ammunition, which explodes near a target instead of needing a direct hit, alongside naval weapon stations.

What the release leaves out

The last two layers watch and listen. Elbit lists SPECTRO XR electro-optical systems for maritime surveillance and target tracking, and the TRAPS towed sonar family and a hull-mounted sonar for detecting submarines and torpedoes. Sonar uses sound to find objects underwater, and a towed version trails behind a ship on a cable. TRAPS stands for Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar.

The release gives no range, accuracy or price for any system, and no independent test results. It also does not say whether the layers share data through one command system, which the integration claim implies. The Jerusalem Post reported Oct. 30 that France told organizers it is limiting how fully Israeli companies can display offensive weapons at the show. It is unclear how that applies to Elbit’s booth.

Euronaval closes Nov. 6, and the release does not say whether Elbit plans to announce customers there. The Jerusalem Post reported the drones will be shown beside Elbit’s Seagull family of unmanned surface vessels.

Elbit Systems shared the release on Nov. 3.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/military/naval-protection-suite-elbit