£453m Typhoon radar contract opens a decade of work for Edinburgh, Lancashire and Luton

DE&S has awarded BAE Systems, Leonardo UK and Parker Meggitt a £453.5 million contract to manufacture 40 ECRS Mk2 active electronically scanned array radars for RAF Typhoons. The award, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to Leonardo's Edinburgh facility on 22 January, sustains 1,300 jobs across the UK over ten years: 300 in Edinburgh, 120 in Lancashire, and 100 in Luton. The radars will be fitted to Tranche 3 aircraft and deliver advanced electronic warfare capability, including high-powered jamming. For suppliers, this production contract follows successful prototype flight trials and signals a transition from development to series manufacturing - prime subcontracting opportunities will emerge as the integration programme ramps up.

Defence Committee Demands Answers on Harland & Wolff Administration - The Defence Committee published a letter to Defence Secretary John Healey on 22 January seeking clarity on Harland & Wolff's intention to file for administration. Committee Chair Tan Dhesi stressed that "a thriving shipbuilding sector is vital to the UK economy and the Government's growth plans." The letter poses questions about the Navantia UK acquisition approval process, impact on the Fleet Solid Support programme and HMS Quorn regeneration for Lithuania, and the suspended M55 project. The Committee requested responses by 3 February. For companies in the FSS supply chain, the letter signals parliamentary pressure for government transparency on shipbuilding continuity.

EuroTrophy Signs €330m Contract for Leopard 2A8 Active Protection Systems - Announced at the International Armoured Vehicles conference on 20 January, EuroTrophy signed a €330 million (£276m) contract with KNDS Deutschland to supply Trophy active protection systems for Leopard 2A8 programmes in Croatia, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Lithuania. The contract includes spares, training packages and through-life support. While not a UK contract, the deal illustrates the scale of European armoured vehicle modernisation spending and potential interoperability requirements with UK forces.

International Armoured Vehicles Conference Draws 1,500 Delegates to Farnborough - The 26th International Armoured Vehicles Conference took place at Farnborough from 20-22 January, attracting over 1,500 delegates from more than 60 nations. More than 500 British Army and MOD personnel registered for the event, which is officially supported by the British Army and National Armaments Group. Key themes included fleet readiness, supply chain resilience, and integration of autonomous systems. General Dynamics displayed a turreted mortar variant of Ajax featuring the Patria NEMO system, while Oshkosh showcased its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The conference provided a forum for engagement with programme managers and acquisition officials across European land platforms.