The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £563 million contract to Rolls-Royce for the Typhoon Engine Support Solution (TESS), ensuring the long-term maintenance and repair of EJ200 engines used in the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fleet.
The contract award, published on 23 April 2025 via Find a Tender, confirms Rolls-Royce’s Bristol site as the sole supplier, reflecting the company’s continued role as the UK’s designated authority for EJ200 engine support under the Eurojet consortium agreement.
According to the award notice, “Rolls-Royce plc is the only economic operator with the specialist know-how, equipment and tooling necessary to perform the services in the UK.”
The contract, worth £562,767,379, covers essential repair and maintenance services for the EJ200 engines, which power the RAF’s fleet of Eurofighter Typhoons. The engine was originally developed under contracts placed through the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), with Rolls-Royce as the UK lead manufacturer.
The Ministry of Defence cited technical exclusivity as justification for the direct award, stating:
“It is considered lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011… Rolls-Royce plc is the only economic operator with the infrastructure, testing capabilities and airworthiness certification to ensure the continued airworthiness of the EJ200 engine.”
This award forms a core element of sustaining the UK’s fast jet capability into the 2030s, ensuring that Typhoon remains a frontline platform for national defence, NATO operations, and global deployments.
No delivery dates or programme duration were specified in the notice. However, the long-term nature of the deal underlines the critical role of TESS in maintaining engine readiness as Typhoon squadrons — particularly RAF 1(F) Squadron, 6 Squadron, 9 Squadron, and XI(F) Squadron — continue to conduct operations at home and overseas.
