The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 22 January 2026 that it has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth GBP 453.5 million (EUR 521 million) for the full production of European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radars for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.
The contract for the advanced actively electronically scanned-array ECRS Mk2 radars marks a major step forward in the RAF’s Typhoon capability, delivering an enhanced electronic warfare capability and allowing the aircraft to detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.
BAE Systems and Leonardo UK, which has developed the ECRS Mk2, will lead the delivery of 38 new radars plus two modified test systems, which will be integrated by BAE Systems onto the full fleet of 40 RAF Tranche 3-standard Typhoons. The upgraded aircraft are due to enter service with the RAF by the end of the decade.
The UK MoD noted that its radar investment follows a GBP 205 million contract announced earlier in January 2026 for the long-term provision of specialist Typhoon engineering support by QinetiQ to help upgrade the Typhoon weapon system and keep the aircraft safe and airworthy for years to come.
The MoD quoted UK Defence Secretary John Healey as stating, “Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, operated across Europe by the Royal Air Force and our allies to protect our skies and security. As the threats we face increase, and as Russian drones continue to strike Ukraine and violate NATO airspace, this cutting-edge radar capability will keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad for many years to come.
“In Edinburgh and across the UK, we’re backing more than 20,000 skilled workers on the Typhoon programme who ensure our RAF remains ready to protect Britain,” Healey added. “Our government has backed their high-skilled work with more than GBP 650 million of investment this week alone, securing British jobs and making defence an engine for growth in Scotland and beyond. This massive workforce will be sustained for years following the biggest fighter jet export deal in a generation … which we secured with Türkiye in October.”
The UK government announced on 27 October 2025 that it had reached an agreement to supply 20 Typhoons to Türkiye in a deal worth around GBP 5.4 billion.
Mark Hamilton, managing director of Leonardo UK’s electronics business, stated, “ECRS Mk2 isn’t just an exceptional radar; it’s equipped with advanced electronic surveillance and electronic attack capabilities that 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,” Hamilton added. “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.”
Richard Hamilton, managing director for air operations at BAE Systems Air, stated, “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.”
