Trade union Unite has welcomed the £8billion Turkish Typhoon order but called on the government to buy new Eurofighters for the RAF.
On Monday, BAE Systems Lancashire military aircraft factories received a major boost with the deal to supply 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey.
The contract will guarantee 6,000 jobs at the defence giant’s Samlesbury and Warton factories.
It is the largest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years and the first new order for UK Typhoons since 2017.
Now Unite, the UK’s leading union - which represents thousands of workers at BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo and other manufacturers in the Typhoon supply chain - has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Its general secretary, Sharon Graham, said order is critical to maintain vital fast jet engineering skills, particularly in final assembly.
However, she is adamant that it remains imperative that the RAF also places an order for new Typhoon aircraft without delay.
Sir Keir said the agreement on Monday during a visit to the Turkish capital Ankara, describing it as “a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security”.
Around 37 per cent of Typhoon production takes place in the UK, including final assembly at BAE Systems plants in Warton and Samlesbury.
The Typhoon programme directly supported nearly 6,000 jobs at BAE Systems' two Lancashire plants, with Monday’s deal guaranteeing the future of the main Warton production line.
The jet’s front fuselage, canopy and spine tank are manufactured at the Samlesbury site.
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Mrs Graham said: “This new Typhoon order is very welcome news for our members. Unite has been extremely clear about the need for having more British-built Typhoons in order to sustain jobs and vital engineering skills in the UK, especially in final assembly capability.
“Now our own government needs to follow suit and buy new state-of-the-art British Typhoons to replace the RAF’s aging fast-jets.
“The prime minister promised to use the defence budget to get workers in Britain building, so what are we waiting for?”
Ribble Valley Labour MP Maya Ellis said: "I'm thrilled to see that 20,000 UK jobs have been secured by this government through the biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation.
"BAE Systems sites in Samlesbury and Warton (where production and final assembly of each Typhoon fighter jet takes place) will play a key role - with nearly 6,000 jobs supporting the Typhoon programme at these sites.
"Alongside this, thousands of jobs across the supply chain will be supported - from specialist SMEs to major engineering firms.
"It's fantastic to see this boost for growth in Lancashire and across the UK - with British innovation powering real investment and opportunity for communities in Ribble Valley."
Hyndburn Labour MP Sarah Smith MP said: “This deal is massive for Lancashire and across Hyndburn and Haslingden. It means thousands of well-paid jobs being protected and real investment staying in our area. People here have built their lives around industries like this, and they deserve this level of job security.
"The men and women on the Typhoon programme put in long hours, use world-class skills and take real pride in what they build. That’s something that we need to continue to support."
