Skilled jobs will be created and sustained at a Gloucester manufacturer after it secured a £2million contract to supply armour for Royal Navy helicopters.

Permali Gloucester Limited have announced they have been contracted by Leonardo Helicopters supply "comprehensive ballistic protection" for the Navy helicopters.

It will mean the Bristol Road-based firm supplying the armour for the new Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters and is a deal worth more £2million.

According to the firm the contract will "create and sustain skilled composite manufacturing jobs at Permali's factory in Gloucester."

The Commando Merlin is designed for amphibious operations, and will be tasked with delivering troops and supplies into conflict zones as well as supporting humanitarian operations.

Permali's ballistic solution will protect the crew and passengers against small arms fire and follows similar work on both the Merlin Mk2 and Mk3 and Commando Sea King fleet.

This project joins the wide range of ballistic armour solutions that Permali has supplied to armed forces and OEMs around the world.

Permali's Director of Special Projects, Nick Baird, said "We are delighted to continue our close relationship with Leonardo Helicopters, and are honoured to be entrusted with the protection of British military personnel.

"The majority of the UK's Joint Helicopter Command aircraft rely on Permali's composite ballistic protection expertise, including the Chinook, Puma and Merlin fleets."