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£10bn battle to be jet order winners
BAE Systems say a possible deal to sell Euro-fighter planes to India could provide a massive boost to the Fylde.
The firm, which has a huge manufacturing base in Warton, is currently in the midst of a dogfight with five other organisations to meet the needs of the Indian Government, which wants to order 130 modern fighter jet planes.
Trials
Analysts believe the deal could be worth as much as 10bn.
Competition for the contract starts next month, when the six planes begin a fly-off that will consist of a series of trials throughout the subcontinent.
Competing against
Eurofighter are Boeing's F/A-18, Lockheed Martin's F-16, France's Rafale, Russia's MiG-35 and Sweden's Gripen fighter jet.
A spokesman for BAE Systems told The Gazette: "It would be a huge boost but it is only at a very early stage.
"We're in competition and trials with six potential jets are due to get underway next month.
"They will all go through flight trials this year and our European partners are leading the bid.
"When they make the decision it could be very good news but it is at a very early stage."
The trials are expected to last for up to a year and, it has been reported, defence analysts bel-ieve the contest is likely to come down to a race between the Eurofighter and the F/A-18.
The deal could provide
another massive boost to Fylde coast manufacturing following a 1.4bn order for Eurofighter Tranche Three.
Bosses at BAE said that the deal, signed and sealed in May, would secure jobs on the Fylde for many years to come.
Meanwhile, BAE bosses have declined to comment on reports of huge armed forces cutbacks which could possibly see future British Government contracts scaled back.
A spokesman said the
reports were "pure speculation at this point."
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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