First RAF Eurofighters completed

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The first batch of 53 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft built for the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been completed at BAE Systems in Lancashire.

The last aircraft in the order has been rolled out of production and will be tested at the company's site in Warton.

In total the company has 148 Typhoon aircraft on its order books - this has been valued at about £4.9bn.

Manufacturing director Ian Wood said the Typhoon is a tribute to the Lancashire workforce.

"I am proud of all the staff across the whole of the programme for their outstanding efforts over the recent years in delivering this initial tranche of aircraft."

Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK are all involved in the manufacture of the Typhoon as part of the Eurofighter consortium.

The Typhoon Eurofighters, based at RAF Coningsby, were brought in to replace the Tornado F3.

They measure about 52ft (16m), can reach Mach 2 speed and with the aircraft's power to weight ratio it can climb from runway height to 45,000 feet in just 30 seconds.