Training deal to secure RAF base

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The deal will provide a "significant boost" for RAF Valley

A new £635m military training deal is to secure the future of military training at RAF Valley on Anglesey.

It means the base will deliver all fast jet pilot training for the UK's armed forces using the new Hawk 128 aircraft.

New hangars, squadron buildings, classrooms, and simulators would need to be built on the base by 2011 as part of the deal.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it would create jobs up to and beyond the

expected completion date.

It could not confirm numbers but it is understood the majority of new jobs will be for the construction work.

Some other jobs are likely to be created when the new facility is fully operational, a defence spokesman said.

It will also further enhance the role of RAF Valley as a key player in the UK's armed forces, he added.

'Cohesive programme'

RAF Valley currently trains air force and navy officers to fly jet planes.

The new programme will provide the training infrastructure, including flight training devices, mission planning systems, virtual briefing rooms, desktop trainers and full-mission simulators.

The new training deal at RAF Valley will be the first step in a 25 year programme to be delivered by Ascent, the MoD's training service provider.

Defence minister Baroness Taylor said the new deal would improve training for the armed forces by "bringing together the current range of fragmented training schemes into one modern and cohesive programme".

The new Hawk jet will arrive at RAF Valley later this year Enlarge Image

A contract for the advanced jet trainer aircraft was announced in 2006 with BAE Systems and the first are due to be delivered later this year.

Sasha Davies, head of economic development for Anglesey Council, said the investment at Valley secured its place as one of the island's main employers.

"It very much puts us on the map in terms of where RAF Valley stands at a UK level, in terms of being the main fast jets Hawk 128 training facility for the whole of the UK which sets us in very good stead for the future," she said.

Local councillor Gwilym O Jones said it was great news for the area.

"RAF Valley has been part of the community here for well over 60 years now," he said.

"People born and bred in the area have been taken on here to do vital maintenance work on the air craft and with this announcement we certainly hope that we will see more of that."

A statement outlining the details of the deal was made in the House of Lords on Monday morning.