BELFAST — The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded manufacturer BAE Systems a £454 million ($610 million) contract for production of new Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet radars, designed to detect and counter multiple airborne and land based targets.
The manufacturer said in a statement that the deal “marks a major step forward in the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon capability,” noting that a total of 38 electronically scanning, European Common Radar System Mk2 (ECRS Mk2) sensors are set for manufacture and integration on the service’s Tranche 3 standard jets. The program sits under the wider £2.35 billion Eurofighter upgrade launched by the UK in 2022.
Entry to service of the radar is expected by the end of the decade, added BAE, with the new contract coming after several years of development and testing. Industry partner Leonardo will produce the sensor from its facilities in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Luton, England. BAE’s Lancashire, England site will assist with aircraft integration.
As stated by the British giant, the ECRS Mk2 production award also follows the four nation Eurofighter program’s “biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation,” a reference to an estimated £5.4 billion order from Turkey for 20 jets.
Despite the other Typhoon partner nations of Germany, Italy and Spain all investing in additional orders of the fourth-generation fighter, the UK has failed to make any such commitment, effectively ignoring lobbying from local trade union Unite. Britain has an inventory of 129 Eurofighters in all, according to 2025 MoD equipment figures. Older Tranche 1 aircraft were, however, slated for retirement last year in line with Defence Command Paper planning from 2021.
Long term, the RAF plans to replace its Typhoon fleet with the next generation Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) platform, which the UK is developing in collaboration with Italy and Japan.