CHILDREN in West Oxfordshire will be designing and flying the next generation of aircraft, Witney’s MP has said.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson last week announced that an Air Combat Strategy would be launched to examine the UK’s future air capability.

With West Oxfordshire being home to a number of relevant firms – as well as RAF Brize Norton which houses a third of the Royal Air Force – Witney MP Robert Courts has said the strategy is good news for the area.

The strategy has been announced in the year Britain marks the centenary of the RAF.

Explaining the strategy, Mr Courts said: “We’ve got a national shipbuilding strategy and this is to look for what kind of capability we have in terms of our warships and support them where possible.

“And so the idea is doing the same sort of thing for aircraft – and that’s good news for us locally. .

“It’s really important to make sure the Air Force is getting what it needs and ensuring we’re ahead of things in years to come.

“There’s the military angle, but also there’s the guys that work in the base not in uniform ,

“And children who are in school now will be designing and flying the next generation of aircraft. We can now say to children that they can have a part in this.”

The Ministry of Defence will work across Government and closely with industry and international partners to explore the UK’s future combat air capabilities.

The strategy will examine the operational capability needed in the future and the skills and resources required to deliver it.

It will take new and emerging technology into account, as well as export potential, while testing British industry’s ability to deliver our future requirements. It is expected to be launched in the summer.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Since the birth of airpower, British industry has been crucial to maintaining our military’s world-leading position.

“As we celebrate 100 years of the RAF protecting our skies, it is fitting that we create bold and ambitious plans to help our brave armed forces keep us safe in the face of intensifying threats.

“The combat air strategy will bring together the best of British engineering, skill and design, and deliver a compelling vision for the future of air power.”

Mr Courts said that it was an opportunity for the UK to showcase its skills and retain its reputation.

He continued: “It’s about making the most of the incredible skills we have in this country.

“If we get it right we will hopefully be able to sell some great aviation technology. We are world leaders in this stuff.”

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said: “It is especially fitting that we launch the strategy as our Royal Air Force marks its 100th anniversary.

"Combat Air capabilities have been at the heart of the RAF’s capabilities throughout its history, and are constantly employed on operations across the world today.

“This strategy will ensure that the RAF can continue to remain at the forefront of the high-end airpower technology and innovation we need to deal with future threats."