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MoD missile deal with MBDA worth £411m 'will secure 700 British jobs'
By JON REES FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 22:02, 14 May 2016 | UPDATED: 22:02, 14 May 2016
European missile giant MBDA is poised to win a £411million contract from the Ministry of Defence to develop the Spear 3 weapon. The deal is likely to secure 700 UK jobs.
The Spear 3 is described as the sister weapon to MBDA’s Brimstone already in service with the RAF in Iraq and Syria against so-called Islamic State. The contract is expected to secure 350 skilled jobs at MBDA’s sites across the UK with an additional 350 jobs at supplier companies.
Spear 3 has already been test-fired from a Typhoon aircraft but the contract will allow MBDA to develop the missile for use with the controversial F35 Lightning stealth fighter, made by Lockheed of the US. The missile is expected to come into service with the Lightning in 2025.
Lethal: Spear 3 will be used with the Lightning stealth fighter
It uses a turbojet engine rather than traditional rocket power and it will be further developed before going into full production after four years.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: ‘These new missiles combined with our new F35 Lightning will enable us to hit our enemies harder. They are both part of our commitment to increase defence spending to keep Britain safe.’
Depiction of RAF Spear Missile from F-35 on Queen Elizabeth aircraft Carriers
Tony Douglas, equipment chief with the MoD, said the weapon provided ‘decisive operational advantage’. The F35 has been dogged by problems during testing but is intended to be the mainstay of the Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers.
The first Lightning is due to land on the carriers in 2018, while the aircraft will also be in service with the RAF.
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
@Vauban, @Taygibay, @waz , @bluemarlin.
By JON REES FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 22:02, 14 May 2016 | UPDATED: 22:02, 14 May 2016
European missile giant MBDA is poised to win a £411million contract from the Ministry of Defence to develop the Spear 3 weapon. The deal is likely to secure 700 UK jobs.
The Spear 3 is described as the sister weapon to MBDA’s Brimstone already in service with the RAF in Iraq and Syria against so-called Islamic State. The contract is expected to secure 350 skilled jobs at MBDA’s sites across the UK with an additional 350 jobs at supplier companies.
Spear 3 has already been test-fired from a Typhoon aircraft but the contract will allow MBDA to develop the missile for use with the controversial F35 Lightning stealth fighter, made by Lockheed of the US. The missile is expected to come into service with the Lightning in 2025.
Lethal: Spear 3 will be used with the Lightning stealth fighter
It uses a turbojet engine rather than traditional rocket power and it will be further developed before going into full production after four years.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: ‘These new missiles combined with our new F35 Lightning will enable us to hit our enemies harder. They are both part of our commitment to increase defence spending to keep Britain safe.’
Depiction of RAF Spear Missile from F-35 on Queen Elizabeth aircraft Carriers
Tony Douglas, equipment chief with the MoD, said the weapon provided ‘decisive operational advantage’. The F35 has been dogged by problems during testing but is intended to be the mainstay of the Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers.
The first Lightning is due to land on the carriers in 2018, while the aircraft will also be in service with the RAF.
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
@Vauban, @Taygibay, @waz , @bluemarlin.
