AN order by the Spanish for 20 new Eurofighters will see production of Typhoons continue in East Lancashire until at least 2025.

Bosses at BAE say the deal, worth around £500m, will bring the number of Typhoons in Europe, either delivered or on order, to 545.

And the announcement, made at the Berlin International Air Show, follows the order for 38 new Eurofighters by Germany in November 2020.

Equipped with the latest in electronically-scanning radar, the Typhoons will replace the ageing Spanish air force Hornets.

Andrea Thompson, BAE air sector managing director (Europe & International) and chairman of the Eurofighter Supervisory Board, said: "The Spanish Government’s commitment to purchasing additional Typhoons reinforces its position as one of the world’s most successful combat military aircraft.

"Every day we are seeing the important role which it plays in delivering air security in the skies over Europe and this investment only strengthens the international partnership which Eurofighter underpins.

"The fact that an existing Typhoon operator is committing to buying additional aircraft only reinforces their confidence in the aircraft and its performance.

"Our people will now work alongside our Eurofighter partners to ensure we provide the Spanish Air Force with the aircraft it needs to secure its skies for decades to come."

One third of the components for the Spanish aircraft, including the fuselage and tail, will be made at either of the aerospace giant's two Lancashire sites at Samlesbury or Warton.

The final assembly of the aircraft will be undertaken by Airbus in Getafe, Spain, according to BAE officials, with deliveries set to start from 2025.

The company leads the overall design, development, manufacture, upgrade and support for Typhoon aircraft in the UK.

Bosses have confirmed that the Spanish order "maintains continuity of Typhoon production in the UK beyond the middle of the decade’.