£453.5m investment to deliver advanced new radar for Royal Air Force Typhoons

BAE Systems has been awarded a £453.5m contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for the full production of a new advanced radar for UK Typhoon aircraft.

It follows a successful programme of development and testing, enabled through long-term UK investment, and marks a major step forward in the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon capability.  

The state-of-the-art radar, known as the ECRS Mk2, will deliver enhanced electronic warfare capability, allowing the aircraft to detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.

The funding is expected to directly support 1,300 jobs across UK industry in advanced radar development and integration of the radar onto Typhoon aircraft. This includes 400 jobs at Leonardo and more than 120 jobs at BAE Systems, predominantly in Scotland and the North West of England.

It comes after earlier this week Lancashire Business View reported that the MOD would invest £205m in the current RAF Typhoon fighter fleet.

The contact awarded to British QinetiQ will see specialist technical and engineering support over five years. 

The deal will support 250 jobs across the UK including Warton.

Richard Hamilton, managing director – Europe and International, BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “The Typhoon programme is a fundamental pillar of the UK’s national defence and security.

"Operating at the heart of NATO operations, Typhoon aircraft provide air policing along Europe’s eastern flank.

"The continued investment in Typhoon capability is crucial and ensures we’re able to maximise the UK’s investment in the aircraft and accelerate combat air technologies critical for defence capabilities.” 

John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence, said: "Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, operated across Europe by the Royal Air Force and our allies to protect our skies and security.

"As the threats we face increase, and as Russian drones continue to strike Ukraine and violate NATO airspace, this cutting-edge radar capability will keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad for many years to come."

The UK's Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs throughout the country each year – a massive workforce which will be sustained for years to come following the biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation, as Türkiye signed a deal in October c.£5.4bn for 20 jets.

BAE Systems and Leonardo UK will lead the delivery of 38 ECRS Mk2 radars which will be integrated on to the full fleet of Tranche 3 standard jets. ECRS Mk2 is due to enter service with the RAF by the end of the decade.

The radar is developed and manufactured by Leonardo in Edinburgh and Luton and integrated onto the Typhoon aircraft by BAE Systems in Lancashire. 

The Typhoon programme delivers significant economic benefit is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most successful defence export programmes contributing £1.4bn in exports annually. 

To date export sales have already delivered in excess of £30bn of value to the UK economy, more than double the £12bn invested.