FILE PHOTO: A Rolls-Royce logo is seen on the first A380 for All Nippon Airways (ANA) during its delivery ceremony at the Airbus delivery center in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has signed a 350 million pound ($425 million) contract with Rolls-Royce RR.L to provide maintenance for the engines of Typhoon fighter jets.

The 346.7 million pound contract will provide maintenance support for the EJ200 engine up to 2024. The Typhoon forms the backbone of the RAF’s fighter jet fleet.

“Not only will this contract help to maintain our world-class jets, it secures 175 jobs across the UK and boosts the skills base our world-leading defence industry relies upon,” Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a junior defence minister said.

“Together with our multi-million-pound upgrade programme, this contract will ensure our Typhoon fleet continues to dominate the skies in the decades to come.”