Mubasher: UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday pledged to ramp up investment for aerospace industry, while maintaining that her plans for the country’s exit from the European Union (EU), also known as the Brexit, would secure millions of aviation jobs.

In a speech at the Farnborough Airshow, Premier May offered over GBP 300 million ($396.9 million) worth of government funding for projects including research on more environmentally-friendly aircraft.

Moreover, additional funding would be provided for two new spaceports in Cornwall and Scotland and a long awaited commitment to build a new fighter that would ultimately replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, Prime Minister May said.

The UK could remain part of EU agencies critical for the aerospace sector, like the European Aviation Safety Agency, May added.

May’s pledge comes amid growing criticism of her so-called “soft Brexit” plan, which spurred back to back resignations of government officials, with the latest resignation of Parliamentary Private Secretary Robert Courts.

Industry trade association ADS has warned the sector could be paralysed if the UK leaves the EU customs union and single market, given that the industry relies on cross-border component trade.

The announcement aims to reassure aviation sectors that the UK would “remain at the forefront of civil aviation,” just days after Airbus said that it would reduce its presence in the UK following the Brexit.

Moreover, Airbus UK’s CEO Tom Enders warned in June that production would be pulled out of the UK, in case that transition deal was not reached. Nevertheless, Enders praised May’s plan, adding that the government is following the right approach.