ENGINEERS in East Lancashire have reached an important milestone in the production of a combat jet.

The 318th rear section for an F-35 Lightning II, the back part of the main body, has rolled off the production line at BAE Systems’ plant at Samlesbury.

That means 10 per cent of the global requirement has now been produced.

With more than 3,000 aircraft on order, it is estimated that 25,000 jobs across the country will be sustained by more than 500 companies in the supply chain when at peak production.

BAE Systems, a big employer for East Lancashire, is responsible for 15 per cent of the work on each aircraft.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, said: “This is an important milestone and the latest example of how the F-35 programme is benefitting the UK’s defence industry, creating thousands of jobs and helping to keep Britain safer.”

Andrea Thompson, F-35 Lightning II director for BAE Systems Military Air & Information, said: “Reaching the 10 per cent mark of production shows how far we have come but also highlights there is an enormous amount of work still to do.”

BAE Systems is responsible for 15 per cent of the work on each aircraft, including every aft fuselage.