Allen-Vanguard secures South American counter-drone and IED order

Allen-Vanguard has received multi-million dollar orders for its Equinox NG and Scorpion 2 electronic countermeasure systems to provide protection against RCIED and drone threats for an undisclosed South American nation.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 5, 2026.

A multi-million dollar contract for vehicle-based and man-portable electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems has been secured by Allen-Vanguard, the company announced on February 5. The deal, which marks the firm’s first major breakthrough into the South American market, includes the Equinox NG and Scorpion 2 systems designed to mitigate risks from Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs) and drones, respectively.

The Equinox NG is a vehicle-based system built on global electronic warfare standards to allow for “ever-greening” capability and easy integration into various platforms, from armoured vehicles to VIP convoys. It builds on Allen-Vanguard’s established presence in the counter-RCIED market; the company has long supported defence forces in jamming the radio signals used to remotely trigger some forms of IED.

Complementing this is the Scorpion 2, a backpack-based portable system intended for patrols and infantry operations. The contract includes a comprehensive support package featuring field service representatives and mission fill development from the company’s Threat Management Team to address regional radio frequency threats through algorithm optimisation, the press release states.

“This is an important milestone in Allen-Vanguard’s history, breaking into the South American market. We are operationally proven with NATO countries globally and have been trusted by peace-keeping forces in the MENA region for many years,” Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard, said.

Allen-Vanguard an electronic warfare specialist

The order highlights Allen-Vanguard’s ongoing transition from a specialist provider of counter-IED equipment to a comprehensive electronic warfare (EW) house. As noted in previous interviews with Calibre Defence, the company has moved towards a “software-defined” approach, allowing its hardware to adapt to a broader range of operations within the electromagnetic spectrum.

This evolution is supported by the development of new products like the NXT RF signal processor, unveiled at IDEX 2025, which provides the digital backbone necessary for modern CEMA (Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities) operations.

• IDEX 2025: Allen Vanguard unveils NXT RF signal processor – Calibre Defence 
• Calibre interview: Stuart Wilson, BD director, Allen Vanguard 
• Allen-Vanguard delivers first TURMOIL radio frequency decoy – Calibre Defence 

This latest success follows a series of recent wins for the company’s Turmoil radio frequency decoys. Allen-Vanguard has previously delivered these decoy systems to NATO customers to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets by emulating friendly RF signatures to deceive adversary sensors. The transition to advanced signal processing and modular architectures ensures that the company remains at the forefront of protecting personnel in increasingly congested and contested electromagnetic environments.

Calibre comment: Military threats in South America

Whilst there are some inter-state tensions in South America, the majority of threats faced by defence forces come from insurgents and criminals. Armed gangs are increasingly capable, deploying IEDs, drones, and even small radars to help them counter police and armed forces, as well as stay ahead of them through reconnaissance. In countries like Colombia, IEDs are frequently used to attack convoys and armoured vehicles, and drones are increasing throughout the region. As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that orders for the type of equipment offered by Allen-Vanguard will increase over the coming years. 

The lead image shows the Equinox NG and Scorpion 2 systems. Credit: Allen-Vanguard.