The MOD has signed a £205 million contract extension with QinetiQ to strengthen the RAF's Typhoon fleet with ongoing technical and engineering support.
The Typhoon is the RAF’s primary fighter jet, with the aircraft protecting the UK’s skies around the clock, as well as deploying on operations worldwide. Continuing to upgrade Typhoons was a commitment in the Strategic Defence Review, forming part of the next-generation of the Royal Air Force.
Typhoons have recently supported NATO’s eastern flank through Operation Eastern Sentry and conducted airstrike operations against Daesh terrorists in the Middle East.
Last year the government secured a further 20,000 jobs across the UK through the largest fighter jet deal in a generation, selling 20 world-leading Typhoons to Türkiye in an £8 billion boost to the economy and strengthening NATO’s collective security.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: "Our Typhoon fighter fleet is the backbone of Britain’s air defence and keeps our nation secure at home and strong abroad, deploying across the world in support of our allies. Through our continued UK investment in the Typhoon programme and last year’s £8 billion Typhoon export deal with Türkiye, we are showing how defence is an engine for growth supporting prosperity across the country."
The Typhoon fleet remains central to UK and NATO defence. This contract ensures the aircraft will continue protecting British skies and supporting allies for years to come. QinetiQ has delivered technical and engineering support to Typhoon since the inception of the programme, work that continues to represent value for money while meeting the RAF’s operational requirements.
250 high-skilled jobs have been secured across the country as the MOD invests over £205 million with British industry to ensure the RAF’s Typhoon fighter jet fleet is ready to protect the UK and NATO allies, keeping the aircraft mission ready.
Air Cdr Nick Lowe, Head Capability Delivery Combat Air and Typhoon Senior Responsible Officer, said: "The extension of this contract underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the Typhoon fighter jet remains at the forefront of operational capability, safety, and technical excellence. This agreement is vital to maintaining the Typhoon’s critical role in safeguarding our national security and support to NATO. By continuing this partnership, we are ensuring that our warfighters have the reliable, cutting-edge tools they need to succeed in their missions, both now and in the future."
Awarded to British company QinetiQ, the work will deliver specialist technical and engineering support to the Typhoon fleet over five years. The £205 million contract shows how the MOD is investing in capabilities across the country, underlining how defence is an engine for growth. The contract extension will support 250 high-skilled jobs at QinetiQ, MOD and RAF sites in Farnborough, MOD Boscombe Down, Malvern, Lincoln, Bristol, RAF Coningsby, and Warton.
The five-year agreement provides technical, airworthiness, safety expertise and support. This support is essential for maintaining aircraft that travel at twice the speed of sound and operate in demanding conditions. That work includes engineering support help the MOD deliver the new cutting-edge European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, which will allow the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.
"This contract ensures our Typhoon fleet continues to receive the expert engineering support it needs to remain ready for missions. Working alongside DE&S and RAF colleagues, QinetiQ’s team has delivered outstanding technical and safety expertise over many years, and this extension allows us to build on that proven partnership. Their work is essential to keeping these aircraft safe and capable, whether protecting UK airspace or supporting operations worldwide alongside our allies."
Lyndon Hoyle
DE&S Typhoon Team Leader
"This contract is a testament to our commitment to the government’s defence as an engine for growth agenda. We’re backing UK businesses, modernising how we deliver and ensuring the operational readiness of our armed forces. Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, we are investing in cutting-edge technology that increases our productivity and elevates our vital expertise, meaning we can get mission critical capability in to the hands of our warfighters at pace and reduced cost."
Steve Wadey
Group Chief Executive Officer at QinetiQ
This contract is an extension of the existing Engineering Delivery Partner Partnership Contract between the MOD and the Aurora consortium, of which QinetiQ is the prime.
