Smart bomb contract will secure jobs in Glenrothes

The UK government yesterday announced a new £60 million contract for additional precision bombs to be manufactured by Raytheon UK.

The RAF already uses the Paveway IV bomb on Tornado jets in Afghanistan, and last year in Libya. The bombs will be fitted to the Typhoon next year.

The weapons are built at plants in Glenrothes, Scotland, and Harlow, Essex, and the MoD said the new deal would secure 450 jobs.

The bombs are fitted with GPS and laser guidance systems to ensure they are accurate even when affected by clouds or smokescreens, while a UK- developed fail-safe ensures the devices detonate only on arrival at their intended target.

Defence equipment minister Peter Luff said: “The Paveway IV bomb has been proven in combat in Afghanistan, where it continues to equip RAF Tornados, and in operations in support of the UN over Libya.

“It is a highly sophisticated weapon and this contract will both boost the MoD’s weapon stocks and support the employment of hundreds of skilled staff at plants across the UK who are working on this project.

“By stabilising the defence budget, more and more we are able to commit to equipment projects which help to safeguard our national security.”

Assistant chief of the air staff Air Vice-Marshal Baz North said: “Paveway munitions have long been a success story for the Royal Air Force in terms of their precision-bombing capability.

“The ability to operate in any weather means that we are able to support operations 24/7. Paveway IV weapons are a real asset to defence as a whole.”