BAE Systems have won part of a £15 billion-plus contract to supply Spain with 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

The UK's biggest defence contractor, which has a small office near Gloucester, has taken a £500 million slice of the contract.

The announcement, made at the ILA Berlin International Air Show yesterday, will see the number of Typhoons in Europe increase to 545 aircraft, delivered or on order.

The order will see the Eurofighter consortium deliver aircraft for the Spanish Air Force equipped with an advanced new electronically-scanning radar, ensuring it is ready to be part of the future battlespace into the 2060s and beyond.

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

Andrea Thompson, managing director, Europe & International for BAE Systems' Air sector, and Chair 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."

The announcement by Spain follows an order for 38 new Typhoons for Germany in November 2020. Work is now underway on production of components for these aircraft at BAE Systems' facilities in Samlesbury and Warton, Lancashire, with engineering teams supporting work on advanced new radar and sensors.

More than 5,000 BAE Systems employees directly support the Typhoon programme in the UK, supporting more than 10,000 jobs in the UK economy as a whole.

Punchline says: "Britain leads the world in defence. Aviation is one of the biggest industries in the country. We are going to see an upturn in defence spending across the world. This is a classic case of it."