Defence threat in 'crippling' strike of BAE jet engineers

HUNDREDS of engineers at the defence firm building RAF Typhoons and F-35 vertical takeoff fighters for new Royal Navy aircraft carriers are downing tools in a row over pay.

- By Chris Riches

Tempest jets

It’s feared the 416 walking out at BAE Systems at two Lancashire sites in Warton and Samlesbury could affect our nation’s future defence and NATO capacity as they are also working on future sixth-generation Tempest fighter jets.

The staff are also set to stop working overtime, travelling offsite, doing additional training or any voluntary roles with the Unite union saying the strike will “cripple production” at the two plants.

Disruptive

BAE Samlesbury designs, builds and tests military aircraft, including components for the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet - now used on the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.