WORKERS at British Aerospace are celebrating improved job security this week after orders worth £425 million were announced by Australian premier John Howard when he visited the Warton site near Preston.

The company will supply more than 30 Hawk jets to the Australian Air Force in a deal announced at the weekend and signed on Tuesday (June 24).

Employees will build 12 trainer aircraft in Lancashire with a further 21 to be constructed in New South Wales using parts exported by BAe. It's hoped this move will open up new markets on the other side of the world.

John Deans, convener at Warton said: "The important thing to remember is the significance of winning the contract with Australia and all the opportunities that it could open up."

BAe's Chief Executive Sir Richard Evans said: "It's an enormous boost to the people here at British Aerospace. Here in Lancashire we will gain a huge number of jobs.

"We will have a lot of opportunity for other exports of the aircraft and we've got a base in Australia which will provide opportunity for work back here."

Defence Secretary George Robertson said: "The project is a shining example of British and Australian industry forging new partnerships. It gives both our industries a tremendous opportunity to work together."

The news comes just a week after the company announced a Joint Strike Fighter programme with Lockheed Martin to supply two concept jets to the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

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