The Egyptian Air Force is to use Raytheon’s new electronic warfare system known as Aces for the F-16 aircraft the country has on order.

In March, the Egyptian Air Force ordered 20 Block 52 F-16 aircraft from US-based Lockheed Martin in a deal worth about $213m.

Raytheon will now provide Lockheed Martin with electronic warfare systems for the F-16 contract.

Aces is an advanced counter-measure electronic system, that comprises a radar warning receiver, towed decoy systems, which protect the aircraft and crew against missile attacks, a jammer to disable enemy defences and a chaff/flare dispenser.

The system will be used in combat environments and will be able to identify and prevent potential threats.

“The need for advanced, extremely accurate electronic warfare technology continues to be a critical element for every fighter aircraft operating in a combat environment today. Our Aces self-protection system will identify potential threats, pinpoint their locations and jam them,” says Scott Jackson, general manager for the electronic warfare systems business of Raytheon.

The Egyptian Air Force is expected to take delivery of all of the F-16 planes by 2013.

Egypt was the first Arab country to purchase F-16s through a foreign military sales programme called Peace Vector. The Egyptian Air Force received a total of 42 F-16s in its first order in 1980 and since then has purchased five more lots of aircraft, for a total of 240 F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Raytheon also installed the Aces system in F-16 jets in the Moroccan Air Force.