THE turbulent ride that the £35billion Eurofighter project has been through looks like coming to an end tomorrow when the German Cabinet is expected to bankroll the jet.
The real crunch comes in September when the German parliament votes on that deal, but, hopefully, the threat to the plane's future, on which 40,000 jobs in Britain alone depend, is over at last.
At stake is Europe's industrial future.
Eurofighter is an anchor for skills and technological development that will keep thousands of companies competitive and their employees in work.
All that benefit would fast drain to America if Eurofighter does not fly.
Germany might not like the cost today, but now it has wisely looked at the greater cost tomorrow of failing to back the plane.
Previous news story
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article