Aerospace workers set to move to Saudi Arabia
Lancashire workers could find themselves moving to the Middle East as the impact of a multi-billion pound aerospace deal kicks in.
Staff at BAE Systems are expected to be offered the chance to move to Saudi Arabia after the kingdom strengthened its relationship with the UK by agreeing to replace its ageing fleet of fighter jets with 72 Eurofighter Typhoons.
The deal, which was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence yesterday, is worth around £7 billion to the manufacturer’s bases in Warton and Samlesbury, both near Preston, which employ 9,000 people and are at the heart of the programme.
However, it is believed Saudi Arabia will want a percentage of the lucrative maintenance and upgrade work, estimated to be worth £10 billion, to take place in the Middle East.
South Ribble MP David Borrow, a member of the parliamentary defence committee, believes that could be BAE’s significant operation in the kingdom being extended.
He said: “I would think they would be looking for a long-term maintenance facility to be based in Saudi, in partnership with BAE, which already has a large base in the Middle East.
“That could be extended as part of this deal, which further solidifies the UK relationship with the Saudis, I am sure they will be looking to work in partnership with BAE on an maintenance and upgrade work.”
Hundreds of other companies – from high-tech engineers to local restaurants – in Lancashire are also expected to benefit as suppliers.
North West Aerospace Alliance executive director Martin Wright, which represents many of BAE’s suppliers, said: “Any major order has a positive impact on other companies, as well as bringing stability to the presence of a major economic engine like BAE in the region.
“Obviously there is the engineering impact it will have on the economy, but the presence of a major employer like BAE somewhere like Warton or Samlesbury has an impact on local shops, restaurants, all sorts.”
BAE has a long tradition of links with Saudi Arabia since it first sold its Lightning jets to the kingdom in the 1960s. That was followed in 1977 by a deal which led to billions of pounds of work coming to BAE over the years.
Around 5,500 people, many originally from Lancashire, currently work at BAE’s base in the Saudi capital Riyadh.