Greek Press: Türkiye's Hava SOJ Project Raises Concerns in Athens and Tel Aviv

Türkiye's indigenous electronic warfare aircraft development program, Hava SOJ, has reached a maturation stage, drawing widespread attention in the Greek press. According to a report by Kathimerini, the platform was first seen in a video released by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense to mark the 115th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force. Under the project, four Hava SOJ aircraft are planned to be procured under a contract signed with Turkish defense company Aselsan. The report notes that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have already shown interest in this electronic warfare platform. Developed by Aselsan, Hava SOJ is described as a strategically important integrated electronic warfare platform. Similar airborne platforms with comparable capabilities are reportedly used by the US, Australia, the UK, Russia, and China. The system's mission spectrum includes neutralizing enemy air defense radars through electronic jamming and creating safe corridors for friendly air assets. According to Aselsan, Hava SOJ will be capable of paralyzing enemy communication infrastructure and disrupting the command-and-control loop using noise and deception jamming techniques. Based on technical specifications, the aircraft will be able to operate from safe distances outside the range of enemy air defense systems and will be equipped with self-defense systems. It is also expected to be used for intelligence gathering and surveillance missions. According to assessments in the Greek press, the architecture of Hava SOJ will be based on Aselsan's Koral and Kara SOJ ground-based electronic warfare systems. Kathimerini states that the entry of Hava SOJ into service could provide Türkiye with significant advantages in early warning, intelligence gathering, and complex air operations. It emphasizes that these capabilities, along with loitering munitions and ballistic missile programs, are causing concern not only in Athens but also in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, it is noted that the Greek Air Force's EMB-145H early warning fleet, in use since 2008, faces serious availability issues and lacks modernization. This is not investment advice.