Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of MBDA Bolton. Credit: MBDA Ltd.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has officially opened MBDA’s new hi-tech manufacturing facility in Bolton for the production of multi-million-pound missiles to be used by the British Armed Forces.

The new Bolton factory can accommodate nearly 670 design, engineering and manufacturing experts employed to develop new and advanced equipment and systems at the facility.

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The factory will manufacture complex weapons that can be used to protect the British soldiers, in addition to equipping the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and the UK Royal Navy vessels.

Williamson said: “This £50m factory supports 700 jobs in Bolton, showing how central strong British defence industry is to our national prosperity.

“This £50m factory supports 700 jobs in Bolton, showing how central strong British defence industry is to our national prosperity.”

“MBDA’s investment has created more than 100 new jobs, and this has been supported by a £400m contract from the government helping to create a further 100 roles within the company.

“You can’t have prosperity without security. MBDA in Bolton is keeping Britain safe while creating highly skilled jobs and opportunities, demonstrating our commitment to the people of Bolton and the North West.”

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The Bolton facility will also support the Anglo-French ‘One Complex Weapon’ Centres of Excellence initiative, which is a cross government scheme that will enable MBDA to develop advanced technology in both the UK and France.

The facility will significantly improve MBDA’s design, test and production capabilities, thereby securing the country’s and the company’s status in developing complex weapons technologies, in addition to enhancing manufacturing capabilities in the North West over the next 25 years and beyond.