THE first flight of a new two-seater fighter plane which could help secure Lancashire jobs has been judged a great success.

The Gripen - which BAe and Saab have entered as a joint venture to manufacture and market for export sales - flew from the Swedish firm's base.

Although much of the UK manufacturing is expected to be carried out at BAe's Brough factory, it is hoped that the Samlesbury and Warton sites will also benefit.

Sales of the Gripen could be worth as much as £440 million over the next 10 years and will strengthen BAe's market share of the fighter sector.

"The flight was one of the most important milestones in the Gripen programme," said Hans Ahlinder, executive vice president of Saab Miliary Aircraft. "We are proud to have completed the task on budget within the time frame that was agreed at the start of the programme in 1992."

The Gripen two-seater is a fully-operational multi-role aircraft and will be used in the Swedish Air Force for both tactical training and combat missions.

The first two-seat production aircraft are due to be delivered in 1998.

The Gripen joint venture will fill the gap between the Hawk and the Eurofighter in BAe's range.

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