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The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its first Next Generation Jammer pods, marking a significant step forward in Australia’s ability to operate in congested and highly contested electromagnetic environments.
Delivered by Raytheon, part of RTX, the advanced electronic attack system has been developed in close partnership with the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) is designed to be deployed on platforms such as the Boeing EA-18G Growler, a capability already operated by the RAAF. Using active electronically scanned array technology, the system operates in the mid-band frequency range to detect, disrupt and degrade adversary radar and communications systems.
This allows Australian aircrews to operate with a significantly reduced electronic signature, improving survivability while enabling more effective mission execution.
The arrival of the NGJ comes at a time when electronic warfare is increasingly central to modern military operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. As potential adversaries invest heavily in integrated air defence systems and long-range sensing networks, the ability to deny or degrade those systems is now seen as a critical enabler of air power and joint force operations.
Raytheon’s president of naval power, Barbara Borgonovi, said the delivery represented a key milestone in trilateral cooperation on the program, highlighting the system’s role in protecting high-value aircraft and countering advanced threats across a wide spectrum of missions.
The NGJ program itself reflects a broader shift in Australian defence planning under initiatives such as the 2026 National Defence Strategy and the Integrated Investment Program, which prioritise long-range strike, survivability and the ability to operate in contested environments.
Electronic warfare capabilities like NGJ are considered essential to enabling these outcomes, particularly when integrated with platforms such as the F-35A Lightning II and networked ISR systems.
The first NGJ shipsets were delivered ahead of schedule in September 2025, with further deliveries expected to continue throughout 2026. In addition to hardware, Raytheon is providing in-country support in Australia, including deployment assistance and maintenance services, to ensure the capability can be rapidly integrated and sustained at high readiness levels.
For the RAAF, the introduction of NGJ represents not just a capability upgrade but a critical enhancement to its role within allied operations.
By strengthening its electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defences capabilities, Australia is positioning itself to operate more effectively alongside partners while also contributing to a more credible, self-reliant deterrent posture in an increasingly contested region.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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