£400 Million Investment In New Missile Programme

The Ministry of Defence has signed a £400 million deal to launch Brimstone missiles from RAF Typhoon jets, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced.

The Brimstone missile has already played a critical role in the fight against so-called Islamic State, being fired from Tornado fighter jets.

The new deal will see the missile upgraded to become compatible with Typhoons.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“Our world-class defence industry is a key foundation on which our great military is built, and the weapons it produces like the pinpoint Brimstone missiles have been crucial in helping our fighter pilots on missions such as driving down Daesh territory in the Middle East.

“This massive £400m investment is a huge boost to the proud workforce equipping our Armed Forces and will create and protect hundreds of jobs across the country, bolstering both the power of the Typhoon jet and British prosperity.”

The new variation will replace all earlier variants and will arm Typhoon when it takes over as the RAF’s principal ground-attack aircraft in 2019.

Chief of Material Land at the MOD’s procurement organisation, Lieutenant General Paul Jaques said:

“The Brimstone 2 CSP contract enables us to continue to deliver a world-class air to surface missile in support of the RAF’s Typhoon Squadrons on operations worldwide.

“It is excellent news not only for our troops but also for the UK economy, with jobs and skills being sustained across the country.”

The programme will also allow the weapon to be further developed for use on future aircraft.

Brimstone is among weapons being considered for use by the British Army’s new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and the RAF’s next-generation Protector unmanned aerial system.