Boost for NW aerospace industry following £4.5bn Typhoon deal

Source: The Business Desk : Neil Hodgson

Thousands of North West aerospace jobs have been supported after the Government signed a £4.5bn deal with the Republic of Türkiye for the purchase of 20 Typhoon aircraft and an associated weapons and integration package.

The agreement will sustain more than 20,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain.

Under the deal, BAE Systems will manufacture major airframe components, conduct the final assembly of the aircraft and lead the weapons integration at its sites in Lancashire, generating work for hundreds of companies across the UK supply chain. The weapons package will be primarily provided by MBDA, which has a base in Bolton.

The agreement means the Turkish Air Force will become the tenth air force to operate Typhoon and reflects the crucial role Typhoons are providing in international air defence.

BAE Systems chief executive, Charles Woodburn, said: “Türkiye’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our long standing relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft continues to deliver across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security.

“Typhoon is an export success story and demonstrates how investment in defence can fuel significant economic growth and returns across the UK.