Bolton West MP Chris Green has welcomed news that a £100m Ministry of Defence contract will sustain around 15 jobs at MBDA’s site in Lostock and across the country.
The agreement with the leading weapons manufacturer will deliver the Sea Ceptor defensive missile for the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ship.
Commenting on the announcement, Chris said: “This contract shows the financial commitment this Government is making to ensure our national security and showcases MBDA as a major employer in Bolton West, attracting some of the leading lights working in defence and engineering.”
Welcoming the contract announcement, James Allibone MBDA’s UK Sales and Business Development Director said: “This investment in the Sea Ceptor system is going to give the Royal Navy and partner navies outstanding air defence cover.
“Thanks to the Portfolio Management Agreement with the UK MOD, MBDA is providing a common missile system for both naval and land use thereby significantly reducing the cost that would have been involved in developing separate systems.”
The advanced Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, designed and built in the UK by MBDA, will be fitted to each of the new Type 26 ships.
The work will sustain around 85 jobs, including 55 at MBDA’s sites in Lostock, Bristol and Stevenage, and 30 across the UK supply chain.
MBDA is actively pursuing export opportunities for Sea Ceptor. The system has already been selected by the Royal New Zealand Navy for use on board their Anzac class frigates, with considerable potential for additional overseas orders in the future.
Sea Ceptor is also planned for use on board the Royal Navy’s current fleet of Type 23 frigates, which will eventually be replaced by Type 26, with three vessels currently being fitted with the system to allow sea trials throughout 2017.