(Alliance News) - The British government announced on Wednesday that it has awarded a GBP870 million, five-year contract to BAE Systems PLC and Leonardo UK - a subsidiary of Leonardo Spa - to upgrade the radar capabilities of the RAF's Typhoon, equipping the fighter jets with one of the most advanced radars in the World, the European Common Radar System Mk2.

Following last year's announcement at the Royal International Air Tattoo of 2022, in which British Defense pledged to invest GBP2.35 billion for various Typhoon upgrades, this is the first contract awarded from that major and complex investment and will see the completion of the development and integration of the ECRS Mk2.

The state-of-the-art radar will transform Typhoon's air control, bringing a world-leading electronic warfare capability that will enable the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground. The ECRS Mk2 will be integrated on the RAF Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft and offered to other operating nations, increasing the UK's defense exports.

Supporting the government's priority of growing the economy, the GBP2.35 billion program will support about 1,300 UK jobs over the next 10 years. With the GBP870 million contract constituting more than 600 highly skilled jobs across the country, including 300 at Leonardo's site in Edinburgh, 100 electronic warfare specialists at the company's site in Luton, and 120 engineers at BAE Systems' site in Lancashire.

Undersecretary for Defense Procurement James Cartlidge said, "The RAF's Typhoon is one of the most capable and mission-ready aircraft in the World, helping to protect our skies at home and abroad."

"This GBP870 million contract award is an investment in the future readiness and readiness of our combat aircraft, so that we can continue to showcase our world-leading air capability."

"The ECRS Mk2 will support operations in the most challenging situations, equipping pilots with the ability to suppress enemy air defenses using high-power jamming and engage targets while they are out of threat range. A prototype of the state-of-the-art radar is currently undergoing specialized testing at the BAE Systems site in Warton, Lancashire. This contract builds on that solid foundation, progressively transforming that prototype equipment into a capability-a path that includes initial flight tests in 2024."

"In addition to delivering ECRS Mk2, the total investment of GBP2.35 billion includes the integration of the new radar on Typhoon and the delivery of a number of additional complementary upgrades and which together ensure that Typhoon will continue to remain a powerful weapons capability and enable it to counter emerging threats through 2040 and beyond."

Leonardo's stock closed Wednesday up 1.8 percent at EUR10.53 per share.

By Giuseppe Fabio Ciccomascolo, Alliance News senior reporter

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