RAF FAIRFORD, England, July 15 Reuters Britain on Friday announced a 2.35 billion pound 2.78 billion upgrade, including a new radar and enhanced electronic warfare capability, for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet.

The radar known as ECRS Mk II will be installed by the end of the decade, initially on the third tranche of Typhoons, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said at the Royal International Air Tattoo, the world39;s largest military airshow.

The investment marks the first production contract for a longplanned advanced electronic attack or jamming capability for the British version of the European warplane, which was jointly developed with Germany, Italy and Spain.

The radar is developed by Italy39;s Leonardo and will be integrated into the jets by BAE Systems.

Initially, it will be fitted to Britain39;s 40 existing Tranche 3 Typhoons, but the head of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, told reporters its aspiration was to retrofit the 67 Tranche 2 aircraft.

Taken together with the addition of new mission computers, that overall goal represents a significant midlife upgrade after a series of delays, said defence analyst Francis Tusa.

The project will also preserve hightech jobs needed to help develop Britain39;s nextgeneration Tempest fighter, Quin said.

He said the upgrade was not directly related to threats related to the war in Ukraine, but added Of course the dreadful events in Ukraine really focus minds.

Wigston declined to…