AN aerospace firm, which provides training support for the Ministry of Defence, says it has safeguarded about 90 North-East jobs after signing a £165m contract extension.

Cobham Aviation Services, based at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA), says it will continue delivering operational training for the Royal Air Force, using specialist aircraft that jam radar systems and targets for gun and missile firing.

The company, which is the world's largest commercial provider of civil and military flight inspection services, earlier this year cut six jobs at DTVA as part of 76 job losses across its Teesside and Bournemouth bases.

However, bosses say the new deal, which will see Cobham's 90-strong DTVA workforce continue working on air traffic and navigation systems for Heathrow Airport and Falkland Islands' military airbases, will strengthen its position in the aerospace industry.

Bob Murphy, Cobham chief executive, said: “We have successfully adapted our operational training to meet the needs of the Armed Forces through to 2019, and look forward to further developing this partnership with the Ministry of Defence.”

Mr Murphy said the contract built on a 25-year partnership with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and revealed it would continue providing aviation services, including a surveillance contract with the Australian Government and training helicopter pilots.