BAE staff have been given a boost after £40million of fresh investment for the RAF Typhoon fighter jets was promised by the Government.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced the news as he awarded to UK-based company Leonardo to upgrade the aircraft’s Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS), which protects it from both enemy planes and missiles launched from the ground.

The contract will run over two years and sustain 41 high-value jobs at BAE Systems in Warton, as well as 65 at Leonardo’s site in Luton.

It will enable the Typhoons to continue carrying out missions such as protecting Britain’s airspace as part of the quick reaction alert team and carrying out air strikes on Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

It comes as RAF pilots test advanced weapons and software upgrades for the Typhoon.

Sir Michael said: “Our Armed Forces face ever-evolving threats so we must invest in cutting-edge technology to ensure they can operate in hostile theatres.

"Our growing defence budget and £178 billion equipment plan makes this possible; giving UK forces the defences they need to protect them, their kit and the people of Britain.

“The RAF’s Typhoon jet is already a state-of-the-art combat aircraft that protects the UK both at home and abroad, but this announcement is a clear example of how it is being continually enhanced and upgraded so it remains as effective tomorrow as it is today.”

DASS provides a set of self-defence sensors and countermeasures which detect and evaluate potential threats and automatically deploy the most effective countermeasure, which includes missile warning.