A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet takes part in a flight demonstration during the 49th Paris Air Show, France, June 21, 2011.

LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Britain will upgrade the Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) of its air force's Typhoon fighter plane, in a bid to improve the operational performance of the platform, according to an updated statement released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Defence.

A total of 40 million pounds will be invested by the government to carry out the upgrade program, and the contract has been awarded to Leonardo, a Britain-based company.

The enhanced DASS will upgrade the way the aircraft protects itself from a full range of threats, including enemy aircraft and missiles launched from the ground, according to the statement.

The DASS includes electronic support measures, missile warning, on-board electronic countermeasures and towed radar decoys.

Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter.

It is already a state-of-the-art combat aircraft that protects Britain both at home and abroad, but today's announcement is a clear example of how it is being continually enhanced and upgraded so it remains as effective tomorrow as it is today, said Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon.