23.12.2004, 13:17
Zitat:BAE Systems gets £160m contracthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4119521.stm
More than 2,500 workers will build the aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £160m contract to design and develop the new Hawk trainer jet to the UK firm BAE Systems.
The work will be carried out at the arms giant's Brough factory in East Yorkshire, helping secure the site.
A BAE spokesman said it was the perfect Christmas present for the 2,500 staff who will work on the project.
Defence minister Lord Bach said the contract was a "significant milestone" in the Hawk programme.
Lord Bach added that it was "excellent news" for UK industry and the workforce at the Brough factory.
First phase
"We will continue to work closely with BAE Systems to develop an aircraft that meets our future capability needs," he said.
The work will be the first phase of an £800m contract to supply the trainer jets.
The government first announced its intention to buy Hawk jets from BAE systems in July last year after a nine month campaign led by union leaders and backed by MPs David Davies and Alan Johnson.
We knew the decision had been made but there is nothing quite like having the contract signed
BAE spokesman
Exact aircraft numbers are not yet known and the MOD says a final decision on investment and numbers will not be taken until 2006.
A BAE spokesman said the lucrative contract will help safeguard the future of the site and could lure further business from overseas.
"We knew the decision had been made but there is nothing quite like having the contract signed, "he said.
"This is the perfect Christmas present for our staff.
"It stabilises the site for the short to medium term and could boost our export market.
"It's important that our own government shows confidence in the UK workforce."
BAE had warned that jobs at the plant could be axed if contracts for the new jet were handed to a European competitor.
Workers at Brough are currently working on four contracts awarded by the South African, the Indian, the Bahrain and the UK governments.