Military equipment will be fitted to two commercial aircrafts by workers at the BAE Systems Regional Aircraft base in Prestwick, Scotland, after the base won a £15.5m contract to convert them for military use.

The Ministry of Defence awarded the work to the company and plan to use the aircrafts alongside military planes that will extract troops and freight from Afghanistan.

The military equipment to be fitted to the planes means that they will be at least as well protected as other UK aircraft operating in Afghanistan

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The work will be sub-contracted to a facility in Broughton, North Wales, to a company named Beechcraft Services.

Planes will be able to take up to 96 passengers and 10.6 tonnes of freight, although the weight of armour and weapons may mean less soldiers can travel at any one time.

The deal, which saw TNT Airways SA, Belgium, and the MoD complete the acquisition, is being classified as urgent.

Business director Mark Taylor of BAE Systems said: "Over the years we have gained considerable experience in designing and managing the upgrade and conversion of the two existing BAe 146 aircraft in service for many years with No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron of the RAF.

"We are delighted that this expertise has been recognised by the MoD in awarding us this major new contract for the two additional aircraft."