Jessica O'ConnorThe Government is facing mounting pressure to prioritise investment in British-built Typhoon fighter jets, as concerns grow over the future of thousands of jobs in the domestic defence industry.
Unite the Union has urged ministers to provide immediate clarity on the future of the country’s fighter aircraft strategy.
The call followed reports that the prime minister is set to confirm an order for 12 US-built F-35A fighter jets.
With the existing fleet of Typhoons ageing, Unite argued that replacing them with the latest model – built by BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire – is essential to protect around 20,000 high-skilled jobs.
These roles are not only based at BAE but also spread across the supply chain, including key defence manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce and Leonardo, which supply engines and other components.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Not replacing existing fighter planes with new Typhoons would be a tremendous act of national self-harm.
“Government ministers need to stop dancing around their handbags and announce that we will be purchasing new T5 Typhoons.
“Tens of thousands of highly skilled UK defence jobs as well as our national security are reliant on that decision.
“In contrast, the UK jobs benefit from new F 35 orders is negligible and it doesn’t help when government repeats highly exaggerated claims about that.
“If we fail to back our defence industry then we will lose our sovereign capability to build fighter jets. The UK will not have the skills or ability to build and develop the Tempest aircraft, which is essential for our long-term security.”
