3 min read - 23 Jan, 2026
£453m investment to deliver advanced new radar for RAF Typhoons
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth £453.5m for the full production of a new advanced radar for UK Typhoon aircraft.
The contract 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 investment will deliver an additional 40 advanced European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radars for RAF Typhoons, including 38 new systems and modifications to two test systems, ensuring radars will be fitted to 40 aircraft.
The UK MOD has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth £453.5m for the full production of a new advanced radar for RAF Typhoon jets / Picture: BAE Systems
The funding is expected to directly support 1,300 jobs across the UK 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. ECRS Mk2 is due to enter service with the RAF by the end of the decade.
Richard Hamilton, managing director for Europe & International at BAE Systems Air, 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.”
BAE Systems and Leonardo UK will lead the delivery of 38 ECRS Mk2 radars, which will be integrated onto the full fleet of Tranche 3 standard jets. The radar is developed and manufactured by Leonardo in Edinburgh and Luton and integrated onto the Typhoon aircraft by BAE Systems in Lancashire.
More than 1,500 skilled jobs across the UK will be sustained into the next decade, including 120 jobs at BAE Systems and 400 jobs at Leonardo / Picture: BAE Systems
Mark Hamilton, managing director for electronics UK at Leonardo, added: “ECRS Mk2 isn’t just an exceptional radar – it’s equipped with advanced electronic surveillance and electronic attack capabilities which will make the RAF’s Typhoons more potent against their adversaries, adapting to new and unpredictable threats.
“This contract secures 300 highly skilled jobs at Leonardo’s Edinburgh site, and 100 at our Luton site. As well as supporting over 71 UK-based suppliers, we hope ECRS Mk2 will see wider adoption by other Typhoon export users, given its advanced capabilities against current and future threats.”
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 Turkey signed a deal in October for 20 jets, worth c.£5.4bn.
The Typhoon programme delivers significant economic benefit and 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.
