Deeside is set to benefit from millions of pounds of investment after being chosen as the location for a new fighter aircraft maintenance hub.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) facility at Sealand in North East Wales has been selected to be a global repair hub providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionic and aircraft components.
Over the lifetime of the programme, hundreds of aircraft will be serviced and maintained in North Wales.
The work has the potential to generate hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue for the UK defence industry, with the potential to unlock more than £2bn of future F-35 support revenue over the lifetime of the programme. This will help sustain thousands of high-tech jobs and skills.
It will be run by a partnership enterprise between Defence Electronics & Components Agency (DECA), BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman, supported by key F-35 original equipment manufacturers.
Defence secretary Michael Fallon said: "This establishes Britain as a hub for all European F35s and is hugely positive news for our high-tech and innovative defence industry. It is an endorsement of the skills and capabilities the UK offers; will help create hundreds of high-end jobs, safeguard thousands more and be a substantial boost to UK exports.
"Building on the strong foundations of Britain's pre-eminent and enduring defence partnership with the US, this decision supports British jobs and helps keep Britain safer and more secure."
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