Aviation News – Britain has awarded a £453 million ($608 million) contract to BAE Systems and Leonardo to upgrade radar systems on its Typhoon fighter jets, strengthening national air defences amid heightened Russian threats. The move reinforces the Typhoon’s role as the backbone of the UK’s air defence and underlines London’s commitment to maintaining combat readiness.
The contract, announced by the British government, covers advanced radar upgrades for the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fleet. BAE Systems, the UK’s largest defence contractor, and Italy’s Leonardo will lead the work, which is aimed at improving detection, tracking, and situational awareness while sustaining domestic aerospace skills and industrial capacity.
The upgraded radar systems will significantly enhance the Typhoon’s ability to detect and engage multiple air and surface targets in contested environments. Improved sensor performance is expected to boost operational effectiveness against modern threats, ensuring the aircraft remains interoperable with NATO allies and competitive on the global export market.
A UK defence official said the investment “ensures the Typhoon remains at the forefront of air defence, protecting the nation while supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK defence sector.”
Beyond immediate defence benefits, the upgrade programme is also designed to make the Typhoon more attractive to potential international customers. By keeping the platform technologically relevant, the UK aims to encourage further export orders and sustain production lines well into the next decade.
The radar upgrade contract highlights Britain’s focus on modernising core military capabilities while reinforcing its defence industrial base. As geopolitical tensions persist, the enhanced Typhoon fleet is expected to play a central role in safeguarding UK airspace and supporting allied operations, with further upgrades likely as threat environments continue to evolve.
