The UK’s largest union, Unite, praised the determined campaigning
of its defence representatives after the defence secretary Gavin
Williamson today (Tuesday 17 July) confirmed plans to develop a
next generation fighter aircraft to replace the Typhoon
(Eurofighter) jet as part of a wider UK combat air strategy. Unite
hailed the news, confirmed in a statement to the House of Commons
today, as a victory for the UK aerospace sector. The sector will
now work alongside the Ministry of Defence...Request free trial
The UK’s largest union, Unite, praised the determined campaigning
of its defence representatives after the defence secretary
today (Tuesday 17 July)
confirmed plans to develop a next generation fighter aircraft to
replace the Typhoon (Eurofighter) jet as part of a wider UK combat
air strategy.
Unite hailed the news, confirmed in a statement to the
House of Commons today, as a victory for the UK aerospace sector.
The sector will now work alongside the Ministry of Defence and the
supply chain to develop innovative technologies and systems in
addition to the designing, engineering and manufacturing the
aircraft itself. The development is set to secure tens of thousands
of skilled jobs and apprenticeships for decades to
come.
Alongside funding from industry partners BAE Systems,
Rolls-Royce, MBDA and Leonardo, the government said it would spend
£2 billion to develop the replacement for the Typhoon, between now
and 2025 with a view to
it taking to the air by 2035.
Commenting Unite assistant general secretary Steve
Turner said: “This is a fantastic victory for the
determined campaigning of Unite members who have been pressing the
government for a number of years to commit to developing a
replacement for the Typhoon aircraft, alongside innovative control,
radar and defence systems.
“The combat air strategy has the potential
to secure thousands of highly skilled aerospace jobs and
apprenticeships as well as many more in integrated supply chains
for years to come. It will ensure the UK retains the capability to
design, engineer and build the aircraft of the future we need to
defend our skies.
“In the months and years ahead, Unite will
be working with the companies involved to both protect and enhance
jobs and skills, as well as ensuring that the UK government
delivers the UK combat air strategy in
full.
“Unite now urges the government to follow
up this vote of confidence in British design, innovation and
manufacturing by committing to build the replacement for our AWACS
air fleet and the
navy’s three
new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships in the UK with British
content.”
