SENIOR Royal Air Force pilots have praised the performance of the Typhoon jet, which is partly built in East Lancashire.

The praise came as BAE Systems showcased its airplanes to the world at the Royal International Air Tattoo, in Fairford on Friday.

Wing commander Richard Wells, who has flown on missions in the Falkland Islands and Libya, said the plane was well-equipped to deal with the future of modern electronic warfare.

The Typhoon's front fuselage is built at BAE Systems, in Samlesbury and plane assembly happens at near-by Warton.

Wing commander Wells said: "I am really proud to be flying the Typhoon.

"What it says to me in capability terms is that it has growth potential and it is robust for the future.

"In my view, everything that we are doing is really applying quite well.

"Certainly, I have confidence when I look at it.

"It is a massive success story."

Wing commander Wells has also been on Red Flag training missions in North America, where the jet has put the RAF above and beyond the rest of the world.

He said: "The Typhoon has excellent staying power, we were airborne first and landed last.

"More often than not, the Typhoon pilots were being described as 'slayers' by the US pilots."

Air vice-marshall Edward Stringer said the aircraft was now very well-regarded by allies in other countries, with governments such as those Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates considered 'long-term partners' by the force.

He said : "These countries are showing themselves to be very good friends to the UK and the Typhoon is now being taken very seriously by other governments around the world.

"The team and the technical staff behind it should justifiably be very proud."