Rolls-Royce has agreed a support contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for the maintenance and repair of the EJ200 engine.

This will see the company continue to provide support to the engines that power the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon aircraft and undertake a number of services — including the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engine and modules, the provision of spares, and the management of aircraft ground equipment.

Rolls-Royce (www.rolls-royce.com) and the MoD’s procurement arm — Defence Equipment and Support — agreed the engine support contract (known as EJISS), which will deliver cost savings as a follow-on to a 10-year Partnered Support Operational Phase arrangement.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “This contract will ensure that our upgraded Typhoon fleet continues in service in the decades to come.

“Moreover, it will not only help to maintain our world-class jets but also secure 175 jobs across the UK —and boost the skills base that our world-leading defence industry relies upon.”

The EJ200 has been in service for over two decades and is currently operated globally by countries that include the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria.

There are over 1,200 engines in service and over 500 aircraft.

Paul Craig, president of Defence Services, said: “The signing of the EJISS contract has been the result of two years of collaboration with the MoD to ensure an affordable and robust support solution.

“The work carried out under this arrangement will enable Rolls-Royce to continue to provide the essential repair and maintenance needed to power the engines for the Typhoon aircraft.”