BAE Systems has been awarded an £18 million five-year follow-on contract to support the Royal Navy’s air defence fleet; this will secure jobs at its facilities in Chelmsford and Portsmouth (www.baesystems.com).

Defence minister Harriett Baldwin visited the Chelmsford site to announce the contract, which will ensure the availability of Long Range Radar equipment on the UK’s six Type 45 Destroyers (including maintenance and repairs).

The deal will sustain 11 skilled jobs in Chelmsford, plus four in Portsmouth.