Government orders 12 new Nimrods

Last updated at 11:48 18 July 2006


The Government today signed a contract worth about £3 billion with UK aerospace company BAE Systems for 12 new Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

The contract, delayed since the early part of this decade, was announced at the Farnborough Air Show by Defence Secretary Des Browne.

The deal involves the next generation of Nimrod, the MRA4 which will succeed the in-service Nimrod MR2.

After Mr Browne announced the deal, the MRA4 made its first public appearance in a fly-past above the Farnborough show.

BAE Systems chief executive Mike Turner said: "The new MRA4 is a world leader in terms of maritime patrol platforms and will give the UK at least 30 years of adaptable capability in maritime reconnaissance and attack operations.

"The aircraft has the potential to fulfil a number of important strategic roles for the RAF."

The MRA4 had its maiden flight in August 2004 and has a sophisticated mission system, and the potential to carry a wide range of modern weapons.

The new aircraft's systems enable its crew to gather, process and display up to 20 times more technical and strategic data than the MR2 currently in service with the RAF.

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