Welsh Labour has welcomed news of a three year £103m research programme to revolutionise wing technology at Broughton.

The Broughton facility is Airbus UK’s Centre of Excellence for Wing Assembly and Equipping. It is one of only two facilities in the world capable of the manufacture of wings for large civil aircraft.

Labour Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant welcomed £7.5m of Welsh Assembly Government funding for the project – WAG’s largest ever investment in research and development. It amounts to approximately 15% of the overall external funding sought by the programme. As part of the Assembly Government’s involvement, Airbus will be making a major contribution to the Assembly Government’s strategy for technology learning and training across Wales, and will also support its work to develop Welsh supply chain companies.

Mr Sargeant said: “This is proof of our commitment to support industry in Wales. The investment reconfirms Broughton as a centre of excellence for wing design and manufacture, and it is a testimony to the skill and dedication of the workforce.

“The new project is one of the most significant joint aircraft Research and Technology programmes launched in the UK for several decades. It will keep Broughton at the cutting edge of innovation in this field. The skilled workforce and cutting edge technology will also put Airbus at Broughton in a strong position to win key contracts on future aviation products, thus securing the future of the plant.

“This is also positive news from an environmental perspective - the new programme will revolutionise technologies that will improve future wing design processes and help to maximise the eco-efficiency of future aircraft designs. Objectives of the project also include the design of an environmentally-responsible factory. More efficient aircraft will also mean that operators are able to provide customers with a more cost effective service.”