The MoD says the maintenance programme will 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.

The F35 is a new, “fifth generation” fighter that will be core to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force’s future offensive capabilities.

The F-35 is a single-seat, single-engine supersonic jet with the most advanced computers and networking abilities yet to take to the air, and stealth capabilities designed to make it hard to pick up on enemy radar.

Prospect negotiator Steph Marston praised the staff and management at the Defence Electronics and Components Agency, based at in North Wales, for their hard work in securing the contract.

“DECA was bidding to be the European regional hub, so the decision to make it the global hub from 2021 to 2025 is a huge boost to the Agency and its staff and a welcome recognition of its skills and capabilities,” said Marston.

The programme is a partnership enterprise between the DECA, BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman, supported by key F-35 original equipment manufacturers.

Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, said the announcement confirmed Wales’ status as a leader in aviation technology.

The North Wales maintenance site already supports around 400 jobs with thousands more in the wider supply chain.