JOBS at Bolton missile maker MBDA have been secured with new contracts for Britain's sea destroyer and an anti-air missiles programmes.

More than 100 highly-skilled engineering jobs at their Lostock site, and sister plants in Bristol, Stevenage and Gosport, will be supported by the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) programme contract for Sea Ceptors.

And a 10-year agreement with Eurosam, the anti-air initiative, will see a refresh for the Aster 30 missiles system currently in use.

Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: "Enhancing our destroyer capabilities, this investment reaffirms our commitment to equip the Royal Navy with the most advanced and powerful defensive systems.

"This upgrade ensures the Type 45 remains hugely respected by naval fleets across the globe and secures highly-skilled jobs and investment."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed a £24bn spending increase over the next four years last November, later reinforced by pledges made in the Defence Command Paper.

For Type 45 destroyers, a new 24-missile CAMM silo will be added in front of the current 48-missile Aster 30 array, increasing the overall missile capacity by 50 per cent.

This will result in a total capacity of 72 anti-air missiles per destroyer. The first will be overhauled by summer 2026.

Vice Admiral Jerry Jyd, Royal Navy Fleet Commander, added: "These programmes will provide an exceptional capability to the front line, ensuring the RN remains poised to defend the surface fleet, and most importantly the Carrier Strike Group, against complex air threats both now and into the future.

"CAMM also provides a means to accurately and effectively engage small, fast inshore attack craft, hovering helicopters and low-speed targets alongside defeating their more traditional high-speed air targets."