The threat to today’s aircraft transcends borders and traditional theatres of operations and is continually becoming more sophisticated, more indiscriminate and more lethal. Historically, the most advanced threats to aircraft have been posed by nation states. However, as some of these countries have failed, many technologically advanced systems, such as infrared guided missiles, have fallen into other hands around the world, meaning the threat goes far beyond what was originally assessed.

To address these infrared threats, there is a critical need to step up the traditional approach that previously used a cocktail of flares as countermeasures. That is no longer enough for today’s most advanced threats; we now need a new level of defence to help ensure our forces can successfully deliver operations on the frontline and return personnel home safely.