AIRCRAFT workers at Samlesbury and Warton have been celebrating after BAE Systems announced the sale of up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Austria.

The multi-million-pound order is the first from a country outside the consortium developing the plane and represents a major breakthrough for the company.

Ross Bradley, managing director of the Eurofighter programme, described the announcement as a "tremendous boost" for BAE's Lancashire centres.

"Not only does this add to the list of programme achievements this year, including the first flight of the production standard aircraft, it will also send a clear and positive message to other potential customers," he said.

The Eurofighter Typhoon has been developed jointly by the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain who have ordered a total of 620 aircraft.

The Royal Air Force will take delivery of the first of its 232 planes later this year when pilot training will begin in Lancashire at Warton.

The Austrian Government has chosen the Eurofighter as the preferred replacement for its Draken fighter fleet. Contract negotiations will now begin for the purchase of "up to 24 planes".

Peter Anstiss, the managing director of the Eurofighter export programme, is pleased to have achieved the first sale outside of the four partner nations.

"This decision will provide the Austrian Air Force with the most cost-effective and operationally-capable aircraft available to the international market," he said.