A SERIES of upgrades have been announced for the Eurofighter typhoon which is partly built at BAE Systems in Samlesbury.

The latest package of enhancements, which was announced on Wednesday, will see improvements to the plane’s radar, flight control systems and its defensive aids. The deal was signed by Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, NATO Eurofighter and Tornado management Agency.

The new enhancements are due to be fitted to the fighter plane by the end of 2015.

The four-nation Eurofighter consortium is made up of the Cassidian in Germany and Spain, Alenia Aermacchi/Finmeccanica in Italy and BAE Systems in the United Kingdom.

Alberto Gutierrez, CEO of Eurofighter GmbH, said: “The signature of this contract represents a significant milestone for what is known as the Phase 2 Enhancement programme for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

“It brings with it a whole raft of enhancements designed to ensure the capability package we offer our customers is the best on offer anywhere in the world.”

Jesus Pinillos Prieto, general manager of NETMA, said: “Eurofighter Typhoon was designed, from the outset, for capability growth, and this package of enhancements is further evidence that we are building on this fundamental strength. It is something we firmly believe sets us apart from the competition.”

The Eurofighter currently flies in seven countries including Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the UK.

This new development contract follows the Meteor Integration Contract that as signed at the Paris Air Show in June.

That agreement secured the next generation ‘Beyond Visual Range Air-To-Air Missile’ for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Since 2003, the whole fleet has completed more than 200,000 flying hours.