A team of Crawley designers has secured a £2.7 billion contract with the Ministry of Defence.

The workers, based at offices of defence specialists Thales in Manor Royal, Crawley, helped design aircraft carriers, in particular helicopters which will be used to spot incoming fighter jets and missiles.

These helicopters make up part of the carriers' airborne early warning radar.

The 2,000-strong workforce will continue to play a part in what is one of the most important aircraft carrier programmes developed in Europe.

Thales' design for the aircraft carriers is part of a tripartite alliance with BAE Systems and the MoD. Overall, the project will cost £10 billion.

The company is the UK's second largest defence contractor and the major systems supplier to the Royal Navy, having worked for the MoD since before the First World War.

Along with electronic warfare, communications and radar, Thales also provides sonar and periscopes for all submarines.

A Thales spokesman said: "Crawley played a role in the programme and more than likely will continue to do so.

"I can't say anything about a jobs boost as it's too early for that."

Alex Dorrian, chief executive officer of Thales, said: "Thales is delighted that its design has been selected in this intensely close-run competition and that we have been identified as the key supplier."