Britain’s fighter jet capability has received a £205 million boost after the government awarded a major contract extension to British defence company QinetiQ, securing hundreds of skilled jobs and strengthening the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fleet.
The five-year agreement, announced by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), will support 250 high-skilled jobs across the UK and provide specialist technical, engineering, airworthiness and safety support to ensure the Typhoon fleet remains mission-ready.
Awarded to QinetiQ, the contract underlines the government’s commitment to maintaining the Typhoon as the backbone of UK air defence, while reinforcing defence spending as a driver of economic growth.
Jobs supported across the UK
The investment will support roles at QinetiQ, MOD and RAF sites nationwide, including Farnborough, MOD Boscombe Down, Malvern, Lincoln, Bristol, RAF Coningsby, Warton, as well as locations in Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Hampshire.
The MOD said the deal highlights how defence investment continues to support skilled employment and advanced engineering expertise across the country.
Keeping Typhoons mission-ready
The support provided under the contract is critical to maintaining aircraft capable of flying at twice the speed of sound and operating in demanding environments. It will also support the integration of the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, a next-generation radar that will allow Typhoons to detect, identify and track multiple air and ground targets simultaneously.
The Typhoon is the RAF’s primary fighter aircraft, protecting UK airspace around the clock and deploying globally on operations in support of NATO allies.
In recent months, Typhoons have supported NATO’s eastern flank under Operation Eastern Sentry and carried out airstrike operations against Daesh in the Middle East.
Part of long-term defence strategy
Continuing upgrades to the Typhoon fleet were confirmed as a commitment in the government’s Strategic Defence Review, forming part of the future force structure of the Royal Air Force.
The announcement follows last year’s £8 billion export deal with Türkiye, under which 20 Typhoon aircraft were sold in what the government described as the largest fighter jet deal in a generation. That agreement secured an estimated 20,000 UK jobs and was presented as a significant boost to both the economy and NATO’s collective security.
The government has also committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, with spending set to reach 2.6 percent of GDP from 2027.
Industry and government response
Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said the Typhoon fleet remains central to Britain’s security at home and abroad, describing it as “the backbone of Britain’s air defence”.
QinetiQ’s Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Wadey said the contract demonstrated the company’s role in supporting national defence while investing in innovation, productivity and specialist skills.
“This extension allows us to continue delivering mission-critical capability at pace and reduced cost,” he said, adding that close collaboration with the MOD remains central to the programme’s success.
The agreement extends the existing Engineering Delivery Partner Partnership Contract between the MOD and the Aurora consortium, of which QinetiQ is the prime contractor.
Lyndon Hoyle, DE&S Typhoon Team Leader, said the extension builds on a long-standing partnership and ensures the aircraft remain safe, capable and ready for operations worldwide.
