12 April 2012
Unions have welcomed a US military aircraft contract which they said would help safeguard thousands of UK jobs.
Airbus parent company EADS will build components for the airborne refuelling planes at plants in Filton near Bristol and Broughton in north Wales under the contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Bernie Hamilton, national aerospace officer for the UK union Unite said: "This safeguards thousands of jobs at plants in Filton and Broughton.
"This contract was won against stiff competition from Boeing and reinforces the fact that the UK aerospace industry is a world leader in wing technology.
"The UK government should also be commended for its efforts in helping to win this contract."
