LONDON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has extended its in-service support for Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters until the end of the year, the company said.
The extension, which will enable the RAF to meet operational requirements, comes under a $165.3 contract with Britain's Ministry of Defense.
"This is good news for the Royal Air Force and the Typhoon force," said Philip Dunne, Minister for Defense Equipment, Support and Technology. "Typhoon is the cornerstone of the U.K.'s air defense and will benefit from continued in-service support provided by BAE Systems in partnership with the RAF."
Under the Typhoon Availability Service contract, BAE Systems is responsible for delivering Typhoon aircrew and ground crew training, maintenance and the servicing of the aircraft, as well as providing technical support and managing spares, repairs and logistics.
BAE Systems has provided the in-service support for the past five years.
"I'm really pleased that we have been able to agree terms to continue to support the RAF's fleet of Typhoon aircraft," said Nigel Davey, director of BAE's military air support business. "We have worked hard over the last five years, in partnership with the U.K. MOD and RAF, to develop a service that ensures the RAF is able to meet their operational requirements and that is also cost effective for the U.K. taxpayer."
