RBSL is creating 200 new jobs at its Telford site after being awarded an £800 million contract with the Ministry of Defence to create a fleet of 148 Challenger 3 main battle tanks for the British Army.

This is good news for local defence manufacturing and engineering and I believe it is the start of a long term expansion of the Telford site with the creation of more jobs to come in the future.

Shropshire has become the defence engineering hub for the West Midlands and it is my ambition it will become the national hub within the next five years.

This is a real opportunity for Shropshire’s young people, both men and women who are good at STEM subjects, to get involved with an international company on their very doorstep, which will see them grow their skills, expand their knowledge, and provide many years of service in a thriving international sector.