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Jets boost likely from the Far East
FYLDE MP Michael Jack believes the BAE Eurofighter Typhoon could get further orders – from the Far East.
During a defence debate in the House of Commons, procurement minister Quentin Davies said he is due to fly to Japan to open talks over a possible order.
The minister said the Government was "committed" to tranche three of the project, which will deliver the final order of the superjet.
Last week, defence giant BAE Systems was awarded a reported 500m contract to maintain the Typhoons, which have become part of the Saudi Royal Air Force order completed in the summer.
The news safeguarded hundreds of jobs at its Warton site following months of uncertainty.
Mr Jack told the House there was an international market of some 90bn-worth of ageing fast jet fighters in the world which needed replacing.
He added: "The alternative to the Eurofighter is the much more expensive United States F-35 joint strike fighter.
"I would far rather the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium had the benefit of those orders, but unless we get behind the aircraft and show commitment towards it, we will not realise that opportunity," he warned.
"This is important not from the point of view of jobs alone, but because the Eurofighter Typhoon sustains the technology base that is our aerospace industry."
In response, Mr Davies said: "As with aircraft carriers, we are completely committed to Typhoon tranche three.
"We are going ahead with that – we are on contract for it – so Mr Jack's constituents have work now for the next four or five years even if there are no export orders.
"We are going for more export orders, however. I shall visit Japan next week on precisely that subject."
Earlier this year Japanese officials visited BAE's Warton base, which employs more than 7,000 people and is the final part of the assembly line for the jet.
As part of the visit Japanese pilots flew in the jets over the Fylde to get a feel for the aircraft.
During the summer, managing director Nigel Whitehead, of BAE's Military Air Solutions division, said he had been lobbying Japanese officials over buying Typhoons.
Mr Jack told The Gazette: "To get this kind of commitment from the Government is a huge step forward for BAE Systems and Fylde workers."
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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