Article Posted on : - Jan 25, 2010

Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. UK MoD Photo

LONDON (BNS): Britain�s Defence Ministry has awarded a �865million ($1.4 billion) contract to Rolls-Royce to provide engines for the Royal Air Force's Typhoon fighter aircraft.

As per the ten-year contract, Rolls-Royce will provide maintenance and support services to the EJ200 engines fitted in the Typhoons.

�This contract will ensure that our Typhoon aircraft continue to meet their operational commitments as a cornerstone of the UK's air defence capabilities.

�We are committed to building strong arrangements with UK industry, in this case to get more efficient and affordable support for our front line Typhoon fighter force,� Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role twin-engine combat aircraft having surface attack capability. It has been designed to carry AMRAAM air-to-air missile systems.

The aircraft has stealth features and supercruise capabilities, enabling it to fly at a speed of over Mach 1.

UK�s Royal Air Force inducted the first batch of Typhoons in 2003 which were deployed in 2006.