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By Sean Rayment
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced an investment of more than £200 million to ensure the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jet fleet remains operational and ready to protect the UK and its NATO allies.
The initiative is set to secure 250 highly skilled jobs across the country, according to the department.
The contract, awarded to British firm QinetiQ, will provide essential technical and engineering support to the Typhoon fleet over the next five years.
The MoD said the £205 million deal highlights the government’s commitment to investing in capabilities that bolster national security while simultaneously driving economic growth.
The agreement will support jobs at multiple sites, including QinetiQ facilities and MoD and RAF locations in Farnborough, Boscombe Down, Malvern, Lincoln, Bristol, Coningsby and Warton.
The deal encompasses a range of services, including technical, airworthiness and safety expertise that are crucial for maintaining aircraft capable of flying at twice the speed of sound under demanding conditions.
Among the key components of the contract is engineering support for the development of the new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, which will enhance the Typhoon’s ability to detect, identify and track multiple targets both in the air and on the ground.
As the RAF’s primary fighter jet, the Typhoon plays a vital role in safeguarding the UK’s airspace while also participating in global operations.
Recent deployments have included support for NATO’s eastern flank through Operation Eastern Sentry and airstrike missions against Daesh militants in the Middle East.
Last year, the UK government facilitated what it described as the largest fighter jet deal in a generation, securing an additional 20,000 jobs through the sale of 20 Typhoons to Türkiye. The transaction was valued at £8 billion and is expected to further strengthen NATO’s collective security.
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “Our Typhoon fighter fleet is the backbone of Britain’s air defence and keeps our nation secure at home and strong abroad, deploying across the world in support of our allies. Through our continued UK investment in the Typhoon programme and last year’s £8 billion Typhoon export deal with Türkiye, we are showing how defence is an engine for growth, supporting prosperity across the country.”
The UK government has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, targeting 2.6 percent of GDP by 2027.
The Typhoon fleet remains central to both UK and NATO defence strategies, and this new contract ensures its ongoing capability to protect British skies and assist allies for years to come.
QinetiQ has been a key provider of technical and engineering support to the Typhoon programme since its inception, consistently delivering value for money while meeting the RAF’s operational needs.
Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer at QinetiQ, said: “This contract is a testament to our commitment to the government’s defence as an engine for growth agenda. We are backing UK businesses, modernising how we deliver and ensuring the operational readiness of our armed forces. Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, we are investing in cutting-edge technology that increases our productivity and elevates our vital expertise, meaning we can get mission-critical capability into the hands of our warfighters at pace and at reduced cost.”
The contract extends the existing Engineering Delivery Partner Partnership Contract between the MoD and the Aurora consortium, of which QinetiQ is the prime contractor.
Lyndon Hoyle, DE&S Typhoon Team Leader, added: “This contract ensures our Typhoon fleet continues to receive the expert engineering support it needs to remain ready for missions. Working alongside DE&S and RAF colleagues, QinetiQ’s team has delivered outstanding technical and safety expertise over many years, and this extension allows us to build on that proven partnership. Their work is essential to keeping these aircraft safe and capable, whether protecting UK airspace or supporting operations worldwide alongside our allies.”
