1 October 2002

Jetfighter announcement is good news for Midlands businesses

Lord Bach Defence Procurement Minister today visited Smiths Aerospace in Wolverhampton. The company is set to reap benefits from the Ministry of Defence decision to choose a 'jump jet' aircraft for the UK's future aircraft carriers. Lord Bach toured the factory and met the management and workforce. Smiths Aerospace is a sub contractor to Rolls Royce and will supply the lift systems for the 'jump jet'.

The decision to choose a jump jet variation of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Aircraft, as opposed to a more conventional flat-top design will enable Rolls Royce to capitalise on the huge experience it has in designing and building jump jet propulsion systems.

Production of UK aircraft is expected to begin in 2008 with procurement costs up to £10 billion.The UK is planning to order up to 150 of the state of the art aircraft, which will be faster, stealthier and better armed than the existing Harriers.

Lord Bach said: "This is a critically important decision. We have chosen this variant because it fully meets our military needs and builds on Britain's unique and valuable knowledge of STOVL aircraft acquired during nearly four decades of operations with Harrier on land and at sea.I am delighted to have the opportunity today to meet the management and workforce of Smiths Aerospace to hear for myself why this decision is so