Slingsby Aviation has been awarded a £6m contract to supply training aircraft to the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

The contract win comes at a time when aircraft orders are suffering in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US.

It will lead to the creation of 20 new jobs at the Kirkbymoorside business in York, taking the total number of staff employed at the site to 150.

The contract will see the company supply 16 T67M269 (T67) Firefly two-seater training aircraft and associated spares, ground support equipment and technical support services to the Royal Jordanian Air Force over the next two years.

The T67 the most powerful in the Firefly range, and deliveries will start in the second half of next year.

Slingsby Aviation's managing director, Jeff Bevan, said: "We are obviously very pleased that the Firefly has broken into the Middle Eastern market with such a highly respected customer as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

"The contract, which was won against stiff competition from our global compeitors, is for replacement training aircraft for existing models.

"The deal has been five years in the making as there was no hurry from the Jordanian air force to place the order."

He added: "It is excellent news for our company as it allows us to expand our workforce, adding another 20 permanent jobs, boosting staff levels to 150."

The Slingsby aircraft will replace the Jordanian airforce's current training aircraft, built by Scottish Aviation, now part of British Aerospace.

Slingsby manufactures aircraft and hovercraft for a variety of customers around the world, mainly in the military sector.

Its hovercraft, capable of carrying 20 people, is currently being used by the Finnish frontier guard.

The company, which started in the 1930s as a glider manufacturer, also produces components for industry, including clients in the railway sector.

The T67 Firefly ordered by the Jordanian Air Force is a two-seater, side-by-side, primary training aircraft currently in use with a range of military and civilian customers, and is designed for a lifespan of 30 years.

The aircraft's primary training role for the Jordanian Air Force is similar to the role undertaken in the UK by Fireflies in service with the Joint Elementary Flying Training School operation for the Royal Air Force, Navy and Army. The T67 has already been selected for commercial and military pilot training in 12 countries across the globe, including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Belize and the UK.

Slingsby Aviation is part of the Chelton Group, within Cobham plc, one of the UK's largest and most successful aerospace groups.