DAVID Cameron has come under pressure from members of his own party to block the proposed £30 billion BAE Systems merger unless the UK's interests are protected.
Dozens of Tory MPs have made the call in a letter to the Prime Minister.
They want the French and German Governments to give up their stake in the new company that would be created by a merger between BAE and the European giant EADS.
It follows a warning from former chancellor Alistair Darling that the UK could be "taken to the cleaners" over the deal.
Mr Darling said the UK's demands should include retaining a stake in the new company alongside that of France and Germany.
"I don't see how you could have a large new company like this with the French and German Governments having large direct and indirect stakes and we have none," he said. "We will be taken to the cleaners."
Some 45 Conservative MPs have called on the Prime Minister to use the UK Government's "golden share" in BAE Systems to ensure there will be no risk to national security.
The UK Government has the power to block the deal and is seeking assurances on jobs.
In the letter, organised by backbench Tory MP and former MSP Ben Wallace, they say: "Without such changes it seems it is EADS and its Government shareholders who have everything to gain while the British Armed Forces, UK manufacturing and BAE have everything to lose.
"Such is the importance of the proposed EADS-BAE merger to the UK that it should be a condition of the merger being approved by HM Government that the state-owned shareholdings are fully divested and Parliament is given substantial time to scrutinise any deal before it is concluded."
Detailed proposals regarding the merger are due to be set out by the middle of next week.
However, observers suggest this may not be met amid continuing wrangling over a number of issues.
About 5000 people in Scotland are employed by BAE Systems.
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