http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/nationalnews/tm_objectid=14520790&method=full&siteid=50100&headline=raf-shows-off-new-eurofighter-name_page.html, The RAF has shown off its new fighter jet in a fly-by at its British base.
The Eurofighter Typhoon went on show at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, after returning from a sales campaign in Singapore.
RAF pilots had flown two of the jets to Singapore, where the Republic of Singapore Air Force is considering buying the aircraft.
The Eurofighter, which has been developed by a consortium of companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy, is competing against two rival projects, the US-made Joint Strike Fighter and the French Rafael.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, Commander in Chief Strike Command, said the RAF was delighted with the progress of the Eurofighter programme.
He said: “I am here to welcome home the personnel involved in the RAF's first overseas deployment of Typhoon.
“What I can say is that from the RAF's perspective, the exercise was not only successful in getting the planes out there and back but very worthwhile in testing the aircraft.
“I cannot understate the challenge of taking a complex plane like Typhoon half way round the world at such an early stage of its life. One of the planes had only 12 hours on the clock from being off the production line.”
He added: “We have been operating Typhoon for six months. It has greatly exceeded our expectations. I have never experienced an aircraft as reliable as this one at this stage in its life. It is an amazing aircraft.”
In May, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon described the aircraft as “magnificent” but said the “right price” had to be secured for phase two of the programme.
