Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed a major £453 million investment to upgrade the Royal Air Force's Typhoon fighter jets with state-of-the-art radar technology, a move set to secure hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs across the United Kingdom.
Securing Specialist Employment Nationwide
During a visit to the Leonardo UK facility in Edinburgh, Mr Healey unveiled the newly awarded contract, which will see defence contractors BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, and Parker Meggitt fit the advanced systems to the aircraft in the coming years. The initiative is projected to protect over 500 specialist roles, including at least 300 positions in Edinburgh, 120 in Lancashire, and more than 100 in Luton, ensuring job security for the next decade.
World-Leading Capabilities for National Security
The Defence Secretary emphasised that the investment draws on a decade of development work to create what he described as "world-beating" technology. "I judge this is the point that we must start to manufacture so that we keep our planes, our pilots, ahead of adversaries," Mr Healey stated. The upgrade involves integrating 40 cutting-edge European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radars into the RAF Typhoon fleet, comprising 38 new systems and modifications to two existing test units.
These sophisticated radar systems will provide the Typhoons with enhanced capabilities to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground. Crucially, they will also be equipped with advanced electronic warfare functions, enabling them to jam the most advanced enemy systems. Officials have previously characterised the Typhoon as the "backbone of UK and Nato air defence," asserting that these enhancements will help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad for many years to come.
Strategic Defence and Economic Growth
Mark Stead, senior vice-president of radar and advanced targeting at Leonardo UK, highlighted the system's potency. "ECRS Mk2 isn't just an exceptional radar – it's equipped with advanced electronic surveillance and electronic attack capabilities which will make RAF's Typhoons more potent against their adversaries, adapting to new and unpredictable threats," he explained. The contract not only secures hundreds of direct jobs but also supports over 71 UK-based suppliers, with hopes that the technology will see wider adoption by other Typhoon export users globally.
This announcement follows the Government's earlier confirmation of a £205 million deal with QinetiQ for long-term specialist Typhoon engineering support, with ministers pointing to the combined investment as evidence that the defence sector serves as a vital "engine for growth." The UK Government has pledged to continue upgrading RAF Typhoons as part of its strategic defence review, with the aircraft expected to protect British skies until at least the 2040s.
