UK Spends $2.8-B To Upgrade Its Typhoon Warplanes

Friday, July 15, 2022, the British government announced a 2.35-billion-pound ($2.78 billion) upgrade to the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet. This upgrade would include a new radar and improved electronic warfare capability.

Photo Insert: The Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet

ECRS Mk II radar will be fitted on the third batch of Typhoons by the end of the decade, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin announced at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

The funding secured the first production contract for the British version of the European warplane, which was co-developed with Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The Italian company Leonardo designed the radar, and British aerospace company BAE Systems will install it on the planes. Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, head of the Royal Air Force, told reporters that while the initial 40 Tranche 3 Typhoons will receive the upgrade, the "aspiration" is to adapt the remaining 67 Tranche 2 aircraft.

Defense analyst Francis Tusa remarked that taken together with the addition of new mission computers, that overall goal represents a significant mid-life upgrade following a string of setbacks.

For one thing, the initiative will ensure the continued existence of high-tech positions crucial to the creation of Britain's next-generation Tempest fighter, as stated by Quin. He clarified that the increase was not in response to specific concerns relating to the crisis in Ukraine, but he did say, "Of course the dreadful events in Ukraine really focus minds."

While declining to comment on a Reuters claim that the UK is in talks to merge the Tempest with Japan's projected next-generation fighter, Wigston did say that the UK is in talks to cooperate with Japan and Italy on some similar technology.

He also said that talks with future-NATO ally Sweden continue.

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