Charlotte Nichols MP has hailed an announcement that Türkiye will buy 20 Typhoon fighter jets in a deal worth up to £8 billion as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The Government said the deal will help to sustain a 20,000 strong UK-wide workforce.
Over a third, 37 per cent, of each Typhoon fighter jet is manufactured in the UK. With the final assembly of the jets will take place in the UK.
The deal comes just weeks after the UK’s Type 26 frigates were selected by Norway, adding a ‘further £10 billion to Britain’s economy and securing 4,000 jobs’.
Charlotte highlighted that this demonstrates how Labour is ‘making defence an engine for growth’, backed by more than £700 million investment in the Defence Industrial Strategy, ‘maximising UK opportunities on the global stage by exporting world-leading defence capabilities’ and delivering a ‘defence dividend measured in good jobs’ across Britain’s communities.
She also highlighted that, altogether, the UK Government spends £4 billion with the defence industry in the north west, supporting 20,000 jobs not including armed forces personnel.
Charlotte said: “This deal is a win for north west workers, a win for the north west economy and a win for national and NATO security.
“It is a fantastic vote of confidence in the north west as the Labour Government delivers on the Plan for Change and makes our defence sector an engine for growth and good jobs.”
