The WEU Welcomes Boeing’s £3bn Deal

The Workers of England Union’s General Secretary, Stephen Morris, has praised the UK Government’s £3 billion procurement of nine marine patrol planes from Boeing. This landmark agreement promises significant economic and defence benefits for the United Kingdom.

Key Deal Highlights

The Ministry of Defence will acquire the submarine-hunting P-8A Poseidon aircraft, with the contract covering:

• Aircraft procurement
• Training and support services
• Maintenance over a decade

Boeing will invest in a new £100 million facility at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and has committed to creating some 2,000 new UK jobs by expanding its maintenance and support operations for both military and commercial customers in Europe.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

By choosing Boeing, the UK Government reinforces its prosperity agenda and commitment to enhanced economic growth. Boeing’s UK workforce has doubled in the past five years, and its annual spending with the UK supply chain exceeded £1.8 billion in 2015.

Farnborough Airshow Announcement

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the deal at the Farnborough Airshow, emphasising that “the UK will continue to lead the world in both civil and defence aerospace” despite the decision to leave the EU. This announcement coincided with other major news at the event:

• Take off for the Farnborough Airshow
• A history of the Farnborough Airshow

New Orders and Long-Term Prospects

At Farnborough, Boeing unveiled its annual Current Market Outlook, forecasting demand for 39,600 new civil aircraft over the next 20 years—valued at $5.9 trillion (£4.6 trillion). Key regional demands include:

• Asia: 15,130 aircraft
• North America: 8,330 aircraft
• Europe: 7,570 aircraft

Narrow-Body Demand and Fleet Replacement

Single-aisle aircraft will remain the busiest segment, with an estimated 28,000 new aircraft needed by 2036. Boeing and Airbus continue to ramp up 737 and A320 production to meet this demand.

Wide-Body and Freighter Forecasts

The wide-body segment will require 9,100 new aircraft for fleet replacements between 2021 and 2028. Cargo traffic growth of 4.2% per year will drive demand for 930 new freighters and 1,440 converted freighters over the next two decades.

Conclusion: The WEU welcomes this strategic defence and economic partnership with Boeing, which reinforces the UK’s position as a leader in aerospace, creates high-skilled jobs, and ensures cutting-edge maritime patrol capabilities for national security.