Fighter pilot training firm retains airport base

Draken's staff train with RAF pilots in exercises over the North Sea

A company which trains RAF fighter pilots has secured a new deal allowing it to keep its base at a regional airport.

Aviation firm Draken has signed a £173m contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to retain its operations at Teesside Airport.

Draken's pilots regularly fly against RAF Lightning and Typhoon fighter pilots and act as the enemy force during training drills.

Minister for Defence, Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said the MoD's deal with Draken would support 200 UK jobs and "ensure the future of Teesside International Airport".

The deal will see Draken deliver Armed Forces training on how to respond to a range of threats, including air-to-air combat, electronic warfare, missile attacks and aerial attacks on ships.

Draken's fleet includes 14 Dassault Falcon 20 jets, one Diamond DA42 aircraft and eight L-159E "Honey Badger" fighter planes based at Teesside and Bournemouth.

Draken houses its Honey Badger fighter jets at a hangar at Teesside Airport

It will also hire at least 12 apprentices at both sites.

Draken Europe - previously known as Cobham Aviation - has been based at Teesside Airport for more than 25 years.

The company signed a long-term deal to continue operating from the airport in 2020. Two years later a new hangar was opened at the site to house its fleet of Honey Badgers.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was proud to have the company based at the publicly-owned airport.

Workers at Draken recently voted to strike as part of a dispute over pay. The strike was held last week and staff are operating on a work-to-rule basis.