£80m contract equips RAF with state-of-the-art missiles

The RAF is set to get one of the world's most advanced medium range air-to-air missiles under a multi-million pound contract signed by the MoD.

The £80 million contract, awarded to Raytheon Missile Systems, will see the installation of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) onto the RAF's Air Defence aircraft.

Part of the all-weather, radar-guided missiles will be manufactured at the Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) plant in Glenrothes, Scotland, helping sustain 60 jobs.

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said: "This contract will see the Royal Air Force get one of the most potent medium range air-to-air missiles available in the world today.

"These highly effective weapons will give our aircrew the tools they need to win the air superiority that is so vital on the modern battlefield. I am also very pleased to note that this buy will be a boost to an important production facility and help support some 60 jobs in Scotland."

The missile, which will enter service in 2007, incorporates the latest technology and include a greater immunity to countermeasures, a better range and a more effective warhead.

The UK is buying AMRAAM for Typhoon until the introduction into service of Meteor in 2012, and for the Tornado F3. There is also scope for the employment of AMRAAM on the Joint Strike Fighter.

The battle proven AMRAAM AIM-120C-5 missile, which is used by the US air force, will supersede an earlier model, which is approaching the end of its in-service life.

(gmcg)