16:51 GMT, November 24, 2009 The 200th Eurofighter Typhoon produced by the four partner companies of the European consortium, was delivered by EADS Deutschland to the German Luftwaffe today during a ceremony held in Manching, close to Munich, Germany. This milestone makes the Eurofighter Typhoon the only new generation multi-role aircraft to reach the impressive figure of 200 examples in service.

The Typhoons – produced by EADS Deutschland, EADS CASA, BAE Systems and Alenia Aeronautica - are now in service with 12 units in six air forces replacing 11 aircraft types, thus confirming that the Eurofighter is not only the best performing multi-role aircraft available on the market but also the most effective and best value solution to meet the air defence requirements of air forces and nations worldwide. To date the fleet has flown over 70,000 flying hours in total with above average operational availability and unmatched operational performances.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is the choice of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Austrian Air Forces which have in total ordered 707 aircraft.

Recently, four Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft flew a record breaking flight of 18 hours to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Sea, to take over Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties from the Tornado F3s. In similar operational roles, the Luftwaffe has been on NATO air policing duties in the Baltic states; the Italian Air Force is carrying out air policing duties over Albania and the Austrian Air Force - that has received all 15 ordered aircraft - provided security for the air space over a NATO Defence Ministers event in Slovakia.

Enzo Casolini, Eurofighter GmbH CEO, said: “This milestone is the best example of the success of this joint European programme. The Eurofighter Typhoon is not only the world’s leading frontline combat aircraft but is also the biggest industrial collaboration in Europe. Confirming the plan agreed in the past by the four nations for the production of this aircraft means the Eurofighter can keep securing 100,000 jobs across 400 different companies and the huge benefits provided to the four nations’ economies for long terms”.