This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8049521.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New batch of fighter jets for RAF New batch of fighter jets for RAF
(about 1 hour later)
A third batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft is to be bought for the RAF, it has been confirmed. The government intends to buy a third batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the RAF, it has announced.
The Ministry of Defence said a contract would be signed after negotiations with partner nations Germany, Italy and Spain had concluded. The Ministry of Defence said a contract would be signed later this year after negotiations with partner nations Germany, Italy and Spain concluded.
The Typhoon will become the RAF's main frontline fighter jet from 2010 but has been dogged by delays and rising costs.The Typhoon will become the RAF's main frontline fighter jet from 2010 but has been dogged by delays and rising costs.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the order would strengthen the UK's defence capability and create new jobs.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the order would strengthen the UK's defence capability and create new jobs.
The first batch of 91 Typhoons was delivered to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire last October. The number and cost of the aircraft to be bought is still to be agreed.
The Typhoons will be based at RAF Coningsby and RAF Leuchars, in Fife, and will replace the RAF's Tornado aircraft from 2010. The four partner countries - which started the Eurofighter programme in 1988 - have been in talks over sharing 112 combat jets between them in a deal worth more than £100bn.
The hi-tech combat aircraft cost £67m each and can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. I hope that we will be in a position to sign a contract later this year John HuttonDefence Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6958547.stm">Factfile: Eurofighter Typhoon
However, there have been recent reports that the UK wanted to renegotiate the contract costs.
Defence Secretary John Hutton said: "We look forward to receiving an affordable bid from European industry that will allow us to proceed with a programme that will deliver advanced multi-role aircraft to the Royal Air Force and maintain high-technology skills and industrial capability across the UK and Europe.
"Subject to the satisfactory outcome of these negotiations, I hope that we will be in a position to sign a contract later this year."
There are currently Typhoon fighters based at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, and the combat aircraft will start arriving at RAF Leuchars, in Fife, in 2010.
They are seen as replacements for the RAF's Tornado fleet.
The MoD said that at peak production, the Typhoon programme would help sustain 5,000 jobs at BAE Systems, 4,000 throughout aero-engine maker Rolls Royce and its supply chain, and up to 16,000 across the UK aerospace industry.
Critics have raised concerns that the Typhoon is outdated but last year the Royal Air Force cleared it fit for carrying out ground attacks in addition to its original air defence role.