UK Government Announces Major Defence Investment for Typhoon Jets
The Ministry of Defence is making a significant investment in the Royal Air Force's capabilities with a £453 million contract to upgrade Typhoon fighter jets with cutting-edge radar technology. Defence Secretary John Healey will formally announce the contract during a visit to Leonardo UK's Edinburgh facility on Thursday morning.
Securing Jobs and National Security
This substantial defence investment will safeguard approximately 1,300 skilled positions across the United Kingdom, with 300 jobs secured in Edinburgh, 120 in Lancashire, and over 100 in Luton. The wider Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across 330 British companies, demonstrating the defence sector's importance to the national economy.
"Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and Nato air defence," stated Mr Healey. "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."
Advanced Radar Technology
The contract involves defence industry leaders BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, and Parker Meggitt working together to install 40 advanced European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radars on RAF Typhoons. This includes 38 completely new systems and modifications to two existing test systems.
These sophisticated radars represent a technological leap forward, capable of simultaneously detecting, identifying, and tracking multiple targets both in the air and on the ground. The Government emphasised that this technology will ensure the RAF maintains its operational advantage in contested environments by providing high-powered jamming capability while engaging targets beyond the reach of threats.
Strategic Context and Wider Investment
This announcement comes during a period of increased pressure on Nato security arrangements and follows earlier defence investments announced this week. The Government recently confirmed a £205 million contract for specialist Typhoon engineering support provided by QinetiQ, bringing the total defence investment this week to over £650 million.
"Our Government has backed their high-skilled work with more than £650 million of investment this week alone," added Mr Healey. "Securing British jobs and making defence an engine for growth in Scotland and beyond."
Industry and Political Response
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander highlighted the importance of Scottish expertise to national security, stating: "This £453 million contract award shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK's national security, and why Scotland is globally recognised as a centre of defence excellence."
Mark Stead, senior vice-president of radar and advanced targeting at Leonardo UK, explained the capabilities of the new system: "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."
Long-Term Defence Strategy
The UK Government has committed to continuing Typhoon upgrades as part of its strategic defence review, with the aircraft expected to protect British skies until at least the 2040s. This investment follows the £8 billion fighter jet export deal secured with Turkiye in October, which represents the biggest fighter jet exports agreement in a generation.
The defence sector continues to demonstrate its dual role as both a protector of national security and a significant contributor to economic growth, supporting skilled employment across multiple regions while enhancing the UK's military capabilities in an increasingly uncertain global security environment.
