- More than 150 jobs to be created in Birmingham by new
contract to deliver advanced surveillance aircraft for US Air
Force, with a further 190 jobs supported across the UK
- Contract delivers an additional over £36M to UK economy and
cements world-leading status of Britain's defence industry which
will help build military aircraft in the UK for the United States
for the first time in over fifty years
- Builds on UK-US special relationship, deepening defence
industrial ties and boosting national security while making
defence an engine for growth
For the first time in over fifty years, Britain will help build
military aircraft under contract for the US Air Force.
A new contract between the UK and Boeing will create more than
150 new jobs in Birmingham and secures a further 190 jobs
across the UK.
It will see two existing Boeing 737 passenger aircraft
significantly overhauled and upgraded to create two highly
advanced prototype early-warning surveillance aircraft. The
contract delivers an additional over £36M to the UK economy.
The UK has already ordered three state-of-the-art Boeing E-7
Wedgetail early-warning aircraft, which will form a vital
cornerstone of the UK's national defence by using radar and
sensors to detect incoming hostile aircraft, missiles, or drones,
from more than 300 miles away. Wedgetail is scheduled to enter
service with the Royal Air Force in 2026.
Currently, the E-7 Wedgetail programme supports 190 highly
skilled jobs in Britain, with 130 of those based in Birmingham.
As Boeing expands its production line, the new 150 jobs in the UK
will modify two prototype E-7A Wedgetail aircraft using the
airframe from new commercial aircraft which will be the first
E-7A models received by the US.
The announcement comes after the launch of the Defence Industrial
Strategy last week, which set out £250 million of new funding for
new defence growth deals across the UK, and £182m to fund a new
skills package to be delivered by five new defence technical
excellence colleges to train and upskill thousands of workers.
Defence Secretary, MP, said:
““The relationship between the UK and US has never been stronger,
and this new deal with Boeing creates and supports hundreds of
jobs across the UK – making defence an engine for growth and
strengthening our collective security.
“This deal is a vote of confidence in Britain's world-leading
defence industry and delivers on the commitments set out in our
Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy, making
us secure at home and strong abroad.”
The deal benefits both UK and US national security by
strengthening the special relationship, while developing the
fleet of surveillance aircraft both nations will share in the
future – building skills among the workforce while ensuring
military operations are more coordinated as a result of using the
same systems.
More than 40 UK-based suppliers are involved in the UK E-7
programme, including the construction of two new engineering
facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, built with local Scottish
suppliers.
US companies also stand to benefit from the deal, with several
major defence firms building individual parts to contribute to
the global E-7 supply chain. Hundreds of American workers and
engineers across the US will then continue to support the
aircraft when it is delivered for final assembly and check out.
The Royal Air Force's own fleet of E-7 Wedgetail aircraft are
currently being fitted out at the modification facility in
Birmingham ahead of delivery of the first aircraft in 2026.
