Eurofighter jets get green light from the government
THE government gave the green light for a third order of Eurofighter Typhoon jets yesterday, after months of delays caused by rising costs.
The consortium which builds the jets, made up of BAE, EADS and Finmeccanica of Italy, welcomed the move, and said the deal was worth around €8bn (£7.16bn).
The planes are expected to be ordered later this year, following further negotiations with partner countries Germany, Italy and Spain.
“The agreement that the UK has confirmed today sends a clear signal of customer commitment,” chief executive of Eurofighter Enzo Casolini said yesterday.
The Eurofighter will become the main fighter jet for the RAF from 2010, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown says it will boost jobs and defence capabilities for the UK.
Defence minister John Hutton said the number of aircraft to be ordered had not been finalised and would form part of the further talks.
The four countries started the Eurofighter programme in 1988. They have been in talks over sharing 112 combat jets between them.
An estimated 40 planes are expected to be for Britain.