The UK government has greenlit funding for a state-of-the-art fighter jet radar, a move poised to revolutionize the nation’s air defense capabilities and foster innovation within the defense sector. The investment of £204.6 million will support the production and integration of the advanced ECRS Mk2 radar for the Royal Air Force (RAF)’s Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, following successful flight trials earlier this year.

The radar, a collaborative effort involving the DE&S Typhoon delivery team, Leonardo, and BAE Systems, will enhance the aircraft’s electronic warfare capabilities, enabling it to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground. The funding, confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, secures essential long-lead elements for radar manufacturing, preceding a full-rate production contract expected later this year.

lyndon Hoyle, Head of Typhoon Delivery Team, Defence Equipment & Support said:

“the UK’s commitment to these long-lead packages in support of series production reflects the growing confidence in the progress being made by UK Industry in developing this state-of-the-art radar and growing maturity of the system design.

“With initial production radars due to become available from 2028, the race is now on to get them integrated as soon as possible through the 4-Nation Eurofighter program and deliver the battle-winning capability into the hands of the war fighter.”

Leonardo is developing and manufacturing the ECRS Mk2 in Edinburgh and Luton, while BAE Systems in Lancashire will handle its integration onto the Typhoon aircraft. The project is projected to sustain 1,300 highly skilled jobs in the UK’s innovation and technology sector over the next decade.

A prototype ECRS Mk2 radar was first tested on an RAF Typhoon aircraft in autumn 2024, with successful flight trials completed in February. current plans anticipate the radar entering service with the RAF by the end of the decade.

Industry Leaders on the ECRS Mk2 Radar

“This commitment to the continued evolution of Typhoon’s capability ensures the RAF maintains its operational advantage.”

mark Hamilton, Managing Director Electronics UK, Leonardo said:

“With modern conflict demonstrating the importance of electronic warfare to combat operations, we are proud that the UK’s onshore combat air industry is the first in Europe to offer a radar with embedded wideband suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) electronic warfare capabilities through a multi-functional array. Progress is running several years ahead of other international efforts, and we expect to have the radar in service with the UK RAF before the end of the decade.”

Richard Hamilton, Managing Director Europe and International, BAE Systems Air, said:

“This commitment to the continued evolution of Typhoon’s capability ensures the RAF maintains its operational advantage. It also sustains the UK’s sovereign combat air skills enabling typhoon to secure our skies into the future.”