Rolls-Royce has been awarded a five-year contract with UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide maintenance and service for the EJ200 engines that power the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon aircraft, according to a statement from the company.
The Typhoon Engine Support Solution (TESS) will see Rolls-Royce continue to maintain and repair 130 EJ200 engines, which are integral to the RAF’s Typhoon fleet. The contract will support approximately 200 direct jobs while bolstering the UK-based supply chain, safeguarding up to 2,400 jobs nationwide. The programme is also expected to sustain critical skills within the UK’s combat air expertise, helping bridge the gap to future capabilities such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Defence Secretary John Healey MP welcomed the contract, saying, “Not only will this contract help to maintain our world-class jets, it also delivers on our Plan for Change by securing around 200 jobs in the UK and boosting the skills base our world-leading defence industry relies upon. Together with our upgrade programme, this contract will ensure our Typhoon fleet remains the backbone of UK air defence for the next decade.”
The majority of the work under the TESS contract will be conducted at Rolls-Royce UK Defence headquarters in Bristol. The site is a hub for research, development, and the manufacture of military power and propulsion technologies for next-generation aircraft. Notably, around 80% of the technologies developed for defence programmes like GCAP can be adapted for civil use, highlighting the dual-purpose nature of defence investment.
Adam Riddle, President – Defence at Rolls-Royce, commented on the contract, stating, “This contract builds on more than a century of Rolls-Royce partnership and trust with the Ministry of Defence. The Typhoon Engine Support Solution represents a continuation of our support of the EJ200 engine and we’re glad for the ongoing confidence in our team and capabilities. This investment enables us and our supply chain to ensure the Royal Air Force can execute their missions effectively, wherever and whenever they’re needed, in an increasingly complex global environment.”
The contract, managed by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), aims to ensure the continued availability and operational capability of the Typhoon fleet, which remains a cornerstone of UK air defence. Lyndon Hoyle, Typhoon Delivery Team Head at DE&S, said, “We are pleased to award this long-term contract to Rolls-Royce for the continued maintenance and repair of Typhoon EJ200 engines, a commitment that supports 200 skilled jobs in the UK. This contract not only ensures the continued availability of the Typhoon fleet, it helps drive growth and prosperity within UK Defence, reinforcing our dedication to procuring capability that equips our armed forces with competitive edge now and in the future.”
As one of the UK’s largest single exporters by volume and value, Rolls-Royce maintains a significant global presence, particularly in defence, civil aerospace, and nuclear sectors. The company’s commitment to developing cutting-edge propulsion technologies aligns with the UK’s defence priorities, reinforcing both national and international strategic partnerships.
With the TESS contract in place, the RAF’s Typhoon fleet will continue to benefit from reliable engine support, while the collaboration with Rolls-Royce will also help future-proof the UK’s combat air capabilities.
