PLANS by the Australian Government to buy the ASRAAM missile from Matra BAe Dynamics will help secure hundreds of jobs at plants throughout Britain, including Lostock.

British Aerospace has been chosen by the Australian Government to supply the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile which will be used by the Royal Australian Air Force's F-18 aircraft.

It represents a major breakthrough in the export market for ASRAAM.

A spokesman for BAe said the programme is a valuable addition to the company's order book which will help sustain employment at sites in Lostock, Stevenage and Bristol.

The Lostock plant has suffered hundreds of job losses of the last few years and the news is seen as a welcome boost for Bolton.

Matra BAe Dynamics Chief Executive, Fabrice Bregier commented: "This is superb news as it marks a major milestone for the company in air to air guided weapons. For ASRAAM to be selected by the RAAF is testimony to the missile's performance and the justifiable confidence which is placed in it by the Australian Government." And Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roger Hawksworth said: "The selection of ASRAAM follows a hard fought competition and a highly rigorous and professional evaluation by the Australian Government.

"We are very proud to have been selected by the Australian Government."

Matra BAe Dynamics has appointed a project manager from BAe Australia to run the programme and it is anticipated that negotiations will commence shortly culminating in a multi-million pound contract.

ASRAAM will initially begin service on the Royal Air Force's Tornado F3 and Harrier aircraft before being subsequently integrated into the Eurofighter programme.

Government Defence Minister, Lord Gilbert also welcomed the news. He said: "This decision by the Australians successfully demonstrates the UK defence industry's ability to compete in the international market.

"The announcement comes after a hard fought competition between ASRAAM, the Israeli Python 4 and the US AIM 9X.

"As a result of the decision, ASRAAM will be fully integrated into Australia's fleet. This will make ASRAAM an extremely attractive option for other operators of the F-18s."

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