Electronic Warfare (EW)
Electronic Warfare (EW) is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to attack adversary systems, protect friendly ones, and support battlespace awareness. EW divides into Electronic Attack (jamming, deception, anti-radiation), Electronic Protection (counter-jamming, frequency-hopping radios), and Electronic Support (signals intelligence collection). Modern EW has expanded into the cyber–EM convergence zone where digital and electromagnetic effects overlap.
Etymology / origin
The term became formal NATO doctrine in the mid-twentieth century as radar and radio became central to combat operations. The current taxonomy — EA, EP, ES — derives from US Joint Publication 3-13.1, which most NATO Allies have aligned with.
Where you encounter this term
EW procurement is concentrated among air-defense and signals-intelligence buyers. NATO Allies actively investing in EW capability in the 2020s — driven by Ukraine conflict lessons — include the US, UK, France, Germany, Poland, and the Nordics. Polish and German rearmament programmes have generated significant EW tender volume. EW systems are often classified, with procurement notices published with redacted technical detail.
Example — from the WULFRN database
WULFRN tracks 46 defense tenders explicitly mentioning electronic warfare in the title across its 22,000-record verified-defense corpus. Many additional EW-relevant contracts are classified under C4ISR or Cyber without explicit naming because of operational sensitivity.
Related glossary terms
- C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)Umbrella term for the integrated systems that turn battlefield data into commander decisions — networks, software, sensors, and analytics.
- Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR)The collection, processing, and dissemination of information about adversaries and operating environments — the three letters at the end of C4ISR.
- Cyberforsvaret (Norwegian Cyber Defence Force)Norway's military cyber operations branch — established 2012; procures cyber and ICT capability primarily through Forsvarsmateriell.
- NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)NATO's executive agency for C4ISR and IT procurement, the supranational counterpart to NSPA for communications and information systems.
- European Defence Fund (EDF)EU funding instrument for collaborative defense research and capability development, requiring consortia across three or more member states.
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Frequently asked questions
What does electronic warfare cover?
Electronic warfare covers any military use of the electromagnetic spectrum — radar jamming, communications denial, signals deception, signal intelligence collection, anti-radiation missiles, and counter-EW protection of friendly systems. Modern EW extends into the cyber–EM convergence area.
Which NATO countries are investing in EW?
Post-2022 EW investment has accelerated across NATO. The US, UK, France, Germany, Poland, and the Nordic Allies have all increased EW budget lines. Many programmes are classified, so visible tender volume is a fraction of actual spend.
Are EW contracts open to non-domestic suppliers?
Most EW contracts require national or NATO-cleared status because of the classified technical content. EU/EEA suppliers retain market access for above-threshold contracts under the Defence Procurement Directive, subject to security-clearance vetting. Non-EEA suppliers face additional eligibility rules per individual notice.