More than half a billion dollars will be allocated to upgrade the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fighter fleet, the government announced.
The investment includes a US$600 million contract awarded to UK industry for the manufacture of advanced radar systems, confirmed John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence, during a visit to the Leonardo UK facility in Edinburgh.
Under the contract, BAE Systems, Leonardo UK and Parker Meggitt will provide a new radar capability for RAF fighter jets over the coming years.
Earlier this week, an additional US$275 million contract was announced for QinetiQ to provide engineering support for the Typhoon fleet over the next five years.
Together, the two contracts amount to nearly US$1 billion in defence investment in a single week. The funding fulfills commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review to continue upgrading the Typhoon, which is expected to remain in frontline service until at least the 2040s.
“Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of the UK’s and NATO’s air defence, operated across Europe by the Royal Air Force and our allies to protect our skies and security,” said Secretary Healey.
“As the threats we face grow, and as Russian drones continue to attack Ukraine and violate NATO airspace, this cutting-edge radar capability will keep Britain safe at home and strong abroad for many years to come.”
Photo: UK Government. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
