DEFENCE contractors across the UK will get a slice of a billion pound defence contract thanks to a North-East membership organisation.

NDI UK, the commercial arm of Northern Defence Industries (NDI), specialises in helping businesses compete for opportunities in the defence, aerospace, marine and security sectors.

It worked alongside defence contractor Lockheed Martin on its successful bid to revamp Warrior - one of the Army's most important armoured fighting vehicles.

NDI spent years to identify small and medium-sized companies that possessed the capability of forming part of the supply chain to secure the contract. Without NDI's intervention industry experts fear that some of the work could have been handed to companies overseas.

Local firms that are part of the Warrior supply chain include County Durham tank track makers Astrum, Weardale's biggest employer with 250 staff, which was recently bought out of administration by Yorkshire industrial group William Cook.

David Townsley, Executive Director of NDI and NDI UK, said: "We have been working on this for a number of years and have what is very much an ongoing part to play.

"As with all of these contracts the design is not set in stone, there are new innovations and technologies all the time in the UK, as well as new capacity joining the supply chain. NDI UK will take a strategic role in helping to identify those and plug any gaps.

"This is exactly the type of partnership that can help boost the UK economy. We will now be working with Lockheed to help them identify the kind of businesses that will form part of this vitally important supply chain.

"This kind of major commercial opportunity demonstrates why if youre interested in defence, aerospace, space or security, you should be a member of NDI. If youre not, give me a call today.

"This is a huge contract and by ensuring specialist SME businesses are identified and used to fulfill contracts like these we are protecting their futures.

"From our own point of view it is fantastic for NDI UK to be involved in such a strategically important and groundbreaking partnership that changes the way work is procured in the UK."

The Warrior upgrade, which was announced last month by the Government, is intended to extend the service life of the military vehicles beyond 2040. Hundreds of them will be fitted with an improved turret and new, stabilised 40mm cannon enabling them to fire more accurately while on the move.

The contract is worth £642m to Lockheed Martin and it is expected to create and safeguard about 600 jobs at the firm and its suppliers.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, said: "Not only is this fantastic news for the Army, it also represents a great boost to British industry - sustaining jobs, skills and capability within the UK's armoured vehicle sector."

NDI is part of Seaham-based Business & Enterprise Group. To find out more about the opportunities or NDI call Mr Townsley, on 0845 111 1141 or email enquiries@ndi.org.uk