In a significant boost to the UK’s air power, the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Typhoon fighter jets is set to receive a major radar upgrade worth £453 million. Forty of the supersonic warplanes will be fitted with the state-of-the-art European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, which will provide them with advanced electronic surveillance and attack capabilities.
The new radar system, which will cost around £11.3 million per aircraft, will allow Typhoon pilots to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground. Crucially, the system will also give the RAF the ability to jam enemy air defences, providing a crucial edge over adversaries.
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the importance of the upgrade, stating that the Typhoon fleet is the “backbone of UK and NATO air defence”. He added that the cutting-edge radar capability will “keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad for many years to come” as the UK faces increasing threats, including Russian drone strikes on Ukraine and airspace violations.
The radar upgrade is part of a broader £453 million investment, which has secured up to 1,300 jobs across the UK. The contract was awarded to a consortium of defence firms, including BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, and Parker Meggitt.
Mark Stead, from Leonardo UK, praised the ECRS Mk2 radar, describing it as “exceptional” and equipped with “advanced electronic surveillance and electronic attack capabilities” that will make the RAF’s Typhoons more potent against their adversaries.
The Typhoon, which first entered RAF service in 2003, is set to continue protecting UK and NATO skies until at least the 2040s. The aircraft is the military’s primary Quick Reaction Alert, responsible for responding to potential threats approaching UK airspace.
This latest investment in the Typhoon’s capabilities underscores the UK’s commitment to maintaining a strong and adaptable air defence force capable of meeting the evolving challenges of the modern security landscape.
