BAE Systems to Lead Production of Next-Generation ECRS Mk2 Radar Under £453.5 Million UK Agreement

BAE Systems to Lead Production of Next-Generation ECRS Mk2 Radar Under £453.5 Million UK Agreement

(IN BRIEF) BAE Systems has secured a £453.5 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to move into full production of the ECRS Mk2 advanced radar for the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon aircraft, following a successful development and testing phase. The next-generation radar will significantly enhance electronic warfare capability, supporting improved detection and tracking of multiple air and ground targets while sustaining around 1,300 skilled jobs across the UK defence industry. Delivered jointly by BAE Systems and Leonardo UK, with manufacturing in Edinburgh and Luton and aircraft integration in Lancashire, the programme is expected to see the radar enter RAF service by the end of the decade, strengthening both UK and NATO air defence and continuing to generate significant economic and export value for the UK.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 22-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BAE Systems has been awarded a £453.5 million contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to proceed with the full production of a new advanced radar for the UK’s Typhoon aircraft fleet, representing a significant enhancement to Royal Air Force combat air capability. The award follows a successful period of development and testing, supported by sustained long-term UK investment, and marks a key milestone in strengthening Typhoon’s operational effectiveness.

The state-of-the-art radar, known as ECRS Mk2, will deliver advanced electronic warfare capability, enabling Typhoon aircraft to detect, identify, and track multiple targets simultaneously in both air and ground environments. This capability is designed to significantly enhance situational awareness and survivability in increasingly complex threat scenarios, reinforcing Typhoon’s role at the centre of UK and NATO air defence operations.

The contract will directly support around 1,300 skilled jobs across the UK defence and aerospace sector, including approximately 400 roles at Leonardo and more than 120 roles at BAE Systems. The majority of these positions are based in Scotland and the North West of England, reflecting the strong regional industrial footprint underpinning the Typhoon programme.

BAE Systems and Leonardo UK will jointly lead the delivery of 38 ECRS Mk2 radars, which will be integrated across the Royal Air Force’s full fleet of Tranche 3 Typhoon aircraft. Leonardo will develop and manufacture the radar systems at its facilities in Edinburgh and Luton, while BAE Systems will be responsible for integrating the technology onto the aircraft at its Lancashire site. The ECRS Mk2 radar is expected to enter service with the RAF by the end of the decade.

The Typhoon programme remains a core pillar of the UK’s national defence and security strategy, supporting air policing missions across Europe and contributing to NATO operations along the alliance’s eastern flank. In addition to its strategic importance, the programme delivers substantial economic benefit, sustaining more than 20,000 UK jobs annually and underpinning one of the country’s most successful defence export platforms. Typhoon exports generate around £1.4 billion each year, with total export sales exceeding £30 billion, more than double the original UK investment in the aircraft.

Media contact:

David Coates
Senior Communications Advisor
Air Sector
BAE Systems
Phone +44 (0) 7525 081 575
Phone +44 (0) 3300 481 443

SOURCE: BAE Systems