BRITISH Aerospace has signed a £16.5 million contract with the Indian Navy for the supply of two refurbished Sea Harrier T.Mk4 aircraft.

The majority of project work and programme management will take place in Lancashire.

The aircraft are due for delivery in 1999 and, together with existing harriers, will allow the Indian Navy to sustain their pilot training capability for their Sea Harrier Mk51 aircraft. The two aircraft to be refitted are the two-seat training version of the Sea Harrier single seat, fighter, reconnaissance and strike aircraft.

The planes use vertical short take-off and landing technology enabling them to fly from aircraft carriers and perform fleet defence duties. Harrier has enabled the UK to stay at the forefront of short take-off and vertical landing technology.

"STOVL" as it is known, will be further developed through BAe's involvement with Lockheed Martin in the Joint Strike Fighter project - one of the world's biggest-ever military aircraft development and production projects.

While BAe continues to win contracts around the globe, Lancashire central MEP, Mark Hendrick, has launched an initiative to safeguard aerospace jobs in the region.

The Aerospace and Defence Regional Initiative and Network in Europe will concentrate on developing new technologies, generate employment and encourage the exchange of information between European Nations.

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