Work To Be Performed On The GR4 Fleet Over The Next Five Years

An MOD contract to maintain, repair and upgrade the RAF's Tornado fast jets has secured more than 600 British engineering jobs. Highly-skilled work will be carried out on the Tornado GR4 fleet to ensure they are ready to support operations over the next 5 years, as they have done in Afghanistan and Libya.

The work will take place at RAF Marham in Norfolk, RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, RAF Leeming in Yorkshire and at BAE Systems sites in Warton and Samlesbury. The revised contract with BAE Systems will result in savings of up to £90 million (approx. $151 million U.S.) for the UK taxpayer compared to the original agreement. The savings are on top of £1.3 billion (approx. $2.19 billion U.S.) already delivered by MOD and BAE Systems since the start of the original contract in 2006.

"This investment will ensure our Tornado aircraft continue to be battle-ready for the next 5 years, as a key part of the RAF’s fast jet fleet," said Defense Secretary Philip Hammond. "They currently play a vital role in supporting troops on the ground in Afghanistan and they will continue to form the backbone of our ground attack capability until the Joint Strike Fighter arrives and the Typhoon’s ground attack capability is fully mature in a few years’ time.

"This contract will help sustain the specialist skills across the UK which make Britain a world leader in engineering."

A multi-role aircraft, the Tornado GR4 can fly at supersonic speeds at up to 50,000 feet in the air, carrying some of the most advanced reconnaissance and surveillance equipment in the world. This is alongside an array of short-range air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, and a cannon capable of firing 1,700 rounds per minute.

"The Tornado GR4 is a once-in-a-generation aircraft and we broke new ground with the ATTAC (Availability Transformation: Tornado Aircraft Contract) support contract which was signed in 2006," said Air Marshal Simon Bollom, Chief of Materiel (Air) at the Defense Equipment and Support organization. "This ATTAC B contract builds on a firm foundation and delivers yet further improvements at reduced cost which will keep Tornado operating at the highest level for the next 5 years."

The contract will run until the aircraft are retired at the end of the decade and replaced by Typhoon and Lightning II jets.

(Image provided by the UK MoD)

FMI: www.mod.uk