A DEFENCE contractor’s decision to axe North Yorkshire jobs will devastate communities and significantly compromise Britain’s military force, angry union bosses last night claimed.

BAE Systems has revealed plans to shed nearly 2,000 posts in response to a fall in demand for fighter jets.

Staff at RAF Leeming, based near Bedale, will be affected, with around 245 jobs earmarked for redundancy across the base and a sister site in Norfolk.

The Unite union last night labelled the proposals “devastatingly short sighted”, and called on the Government to regain control of the nation’s defence programme.

Officials also vowed to contest any plans to send work abroad.

BAE has blamed the Government’s decision to remove the Tornado from active service in 2019 for part of their decision, with Leeming known for support services such as the stripping down of a decommissioned F3 fleet to create spare parts for GR4 jets.

It also cited a need to create a “sharper competitive edge”, with the business facing an order gap for its Typhoon jet before an expected order from Qatar.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems’ chief executive, said: “The organisational changes accelerate our evolution to a more streamlined, de-layered organisation, with a sharper competitive edge and a renewed focus on technology.

“These actions will further strengthen our company as we deliver our strategy in a changing environment.

“Separately, we are also announcing actions at some of our UK sites to align our workforce capacity more closely with near-term demand and enhance our competitive position to secure new business.

“Those actions are necessary and the right thing to do for our company, but unfortunately include proposed redundancies.

“I recognise this will be difficult news for some of our employees and we are committed to do everything we can to support those affected.”

As well as its planned changes for Leeming, BAE says 750 posts are at risk in Lancashire, where Eurofighter Typhoon parts are made, with another 400 under threat at Brough, in East Yorkshire.

However, Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary, said the situation was not acceptable, reiterating the call for Government action.

He said: “These planned cuts will undermine Britain’s sovereign defence capability and devastate communities.

“The Government must take back control of our nation’s defence and play its part in supporting manufacturing jobs. It can, and should, do more to defend UK defence jobs by investing in Britain and committing that long-term projects are built in the UK.

“A failure to do so will be a complete betrayal of its primary responsibility.”