Velocity Composites plc, the Burnley-based supplier of advanced composite material kits for the aerospace and defence industries, joined senior figures from BAE Systems and the UK supply chain today to celebrate the country’s landmark £8bn order with Turkey for 20 Typhoon fighter jets.
The event, held at BAE Systems’ Warton plant in Lancashire, brought together key industrial partners involved in the Typhoon programme — including Sheldon Atherton, Head of Technology and Quality Systems at Velocity Composites and Lee Berry Manufacturing Manager Burnley, UK — to mark what Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed as “a victory for Lancashire against the world”.
The Typhoon order, the first since 2017, secures production at BAE Systems’ Warton and Samlesbury sites for at least the next decade, supporting more than 6,000 highly skilled jobs across the North West and sustaining a wider ecosystem of UK suppliers — among them Velocity Composites.
Velocity Composites supplies advanced composite material kits to major aerospace and defence programmes, helping manufacturers streamline production and reduce waste through its digital manufacturing processes. The company’s long-standing collaboration with BAE Systems supports continuous improvement in composite component production and underpins the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective solutions to the global aerospace market.
Commenting on the milestone, James Eastbury, Chief Customer Officer of Velocity Composites, said; “BAE Systems has been a key partner for many years, and we are delighted to continue our relationship as part of this important new order. “Our work with BAE helps to improve production standardisation and reduce the cost of composite part manufacture, ensuring that the Typhoon programme benefits from consistent quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
“As noted in our recent results, our business development teams are building on these strong defence relationships to grow our presence with other OEMs across Europe and the US.”
Representing Velocity at the Warton event, Sheldon Atherton, who leads the company’s technology and quality systems, said the day was “a proud moment” for the firm’s engineers and supply chain teams. “The Typhoon programme showcases the very best of British aerospace manufacturing, and Velocity is proud to play its part,” he said. “Working hand-in-hand with BAE Systems at Samlesbury, our teams contribute to the consistency and reliability that global customers expect from the UK’s defence industry.
“Seeing this order confirmed, and hearing directly from the Prime Minister about its importance to our national capability, was an inspiring reminder of why we do what we do.” During his visit to the BAE Systems Warton site, Sir Keir Starmer praised the skill and dedication of British aerospace workers, telling assembled staff and suppliers:
“You have to be world class in this game – and you are. We weren’t the only ones that wanted this deal, but we won it because they judged your professionalism, your skill, your dedication, and your ability to deliver.” Starmer said the deal was worth up to £8bn and would guarantee well-paid jobs across Lancashire for the next decade, adding that it demonstrated “how British manufacturing can compete and win on the world stage.”
The Prime Minister had signed the agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara less than 24 hours before visiting Warton, where he personally thanked workers, apprentices, and suppliers for their role in securing the order.
Velocity Composites’ involvement in flagship defence programmes supporting 4th and 5th generation fighter programmes underscores the company’s strategic focus on digital manufacturing, sustainability, and global growth. By providing fully traceable, optimised composite material kits and logistics solutions, Velocity enables aerospace OEMs to reduce waste, improve performance, and increase supply chain resilience.
As global defence markets strengthen and demand for advanced composite structures continues to rise, Velocity’s close working relationship with BAE Systems positions it as a key contributor to the next generation of aerospace innovation.
“This new order reflects the confidence in the UK’s defence supply chain,” added Eastbury. “It’s a clear signal that when our industry works together — from prime contractors to SMEs — we can deliver world-class capability, value, and performance.”
