The F-35 Maintenance Program Will Support Thousands Of Jobs In North Wales

The U.K. Ministry of Defense has announced that the UK has been chosen by the F-35 Program Office to be a global repair hub providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionic and aircraft components. Over the lifetime of the program, components for hundreds of European-based F-35 aircraft will be serviced and maintained in North Wales.

This work will generate hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for the UK defense industry, with the potential to unlock more than £2 billion (approx. $2.48 billion) of future F-35 support revenue over the lifetime of the program. This will help sustain thousands of high tech jobs and skills. The work will involve maintenance and repair of systems for the F-35 aircraft including electronic and electrical components, fuel, mechanical and hydraulic systems, and ejection seats.

"This establishes Britain as a hub for all European F35s and is hugely positive news for our high-tech and innovative defense industry," said Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.  It is an endorsement of the skills and capabilities the UK offers; will help create hundreds of high-end jobs, safeguard thousands more and be a substantial boost to UK exports.

"Building on the strong foundations of Britain’s pre-eminent and enduring defense partnership with the US, this decision supports British jobs and helps keep Britain safer and more secure."

The winning UK solution will be based on an innovative partnership enterprise between Defense Electronics & Components Agency (DECA), BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman, supported by key F-35 Original Equipment Manufacturers. The work will be centred at the UK Government-owned, Defense Electronics & Components Agency (DECA), based at MOD Sealand, in North East Wales.

"Today’s announcement makes Wales an essential component repair hub for supporting the F-35 aircraft and confirms our status as a leader in aviation technology," said Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales.

"I’m delighted that the expertise that exists in Wales, along with a skilled workforce, has been recognised by the award of this major contract. It will lead to the investment of millions of pounds into the economy of North Wales. The North Wales maintenance site already supports around 400 jobs with thousands more in the wider supply chain - these will be sustained and grown over the coming years as a result of today’s news. MOD Sealand is a perfect location for maintenance work on this scale and I’m confident we will see further investment locally for the aerospace industry in Wales."

The new global avionic and aircraft component repair service is expected to be operational from early 2018.

(Source: U.K. MoD news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence