Elbit Systems has secured a significant contract valued at $260 million (€226.2 million) from Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) to supply its J-MUSIC Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) systems.
This contract, spanning six years, involves outfitting the German Air Force’s A400M transport aircraft with advanced missile defense technology. The procurement decision was made by the German Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Operations of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), which oversees military acquisitions. Notably, in June 2025, BAAINBw entrusted Airbus with the task of retrofitting 23 Luftwaffe A400M planes with these DIRCM systems.
The J-MUSIC DIRCM system, part of Elbit Systems’ MUSIC family, is engineered to safeguard aircraft against infrared-guided missile threats, particularly those launched from man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). Utilizing cutting-edge laser technology paired with a high-resolution imaging system, J-MUSIC autonomously detects, tracks, and neutralizes incoming missile dangers, removing the need for crew intervention.
Designed with a modular and scalable framework, the system offers seamless integration capabilities across a wide range of aircraft platforms and missile warning systems, as highlighted by Elbit Systems.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, expressed pride in the partnership: “This contract reinforces our position as a top-tier global provider of DIRCM technologies. With our systems already trusted by numerous air forces worldwide, we are honored to support Germany in boosting the defense of their strategic air fleet. Our ongoing cooperation with Airbus DS is a testament to the value of this critical program, and we are committed to enhancing the safety and mission readiness of the German A400M aircraft.”
Elbit Systems’ DIRCM technologies are widely operational, deployed across various military and commercial aviation platforms internationally. Their clientele includes government defense agencies and air forces from Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, among others. Moreover, multiple original equipment manufacturers have integrated Elbit’s solutions into both new production models and retrofitted aircraft.
