Typhoon over Bristol

The plane is built in the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain

A Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has staged a fly-past to mark the delivery of the first production engines for the aircraft.

The aeroplane flew from BAe System's factory at Warton, Lancashire, to Bristol.

It staged a display over the Rolls-Royce factories where the EJ200 engines were built.

It also allowed Ministry of Defence staff in Bristol to view the aircraft.

Engine production is helping to secure jobs

Seven prototypes of the Eurofighter have been involved in test flights.

They were powered by the alternative RB199 engine and by prototypes of the EJ200.

Rolls-Royce has just started delivering production versions of the engine for installation in the aircraft.

The company is producing 363 EJ200 engines for the first batch of 148 Eurofighters.

A further 1,000 will be built by 2015 providing power for a total of 620 aircraft.

It is seen as a vital project for the company, protecting jobs at the Bristol factories.

A total of 620 planes are being built

"The staffing requirements have been figured in long ago.

"But this provides significant work up to 2005 and then up to 2015," said Rolls-Royce spokeswoman Maria Weber.

The Eurofighter project is a collaboration between the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. It was offially launched in 1983.

Throughout the four countries, about 15,000 people will be involved in the development and production of the aircraft.

The aircraft is being bought by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.

But talks are under way about possible sales to other countries including Singapore and the Netherlands.

The Dutch are currently choosing between the Eurofighter and American and French alternatives.