AN order worth £425 million has brought another boost to Lancashire's aerospace industry.

British Aerospace has secured a deal for Hawk aircraft from Australia worth more than £400 million.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard confirmed his country would buy 12 planes that will help secure jobs at BAe's factories at Warton and Brough, East Yorkshire.

Mr Howard, who visited BAe Warton yesterday, said the Hawk would be used for training in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Mr Howard said another 21 planes would be built at a factory in Australia.

The Australian Premier has held talks with BAe chief executive Sir Richard Evans and Defence Secretary George Robertson.

The order news comes after BAe last week announced it was teaming up with American giant Lockheed Martin to build two prototypes for the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Both Warton and Samlesbury are expected to be involved in the £500 million project. If the Lockheed Martin/BAe design is chosen by the American Government more than 3,000 are expected to be ordered.

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