Eurofighter Typhoon talks to proceed

LONDON, May 15 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans Thursday to move forward with talks on a new purchase agreement for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

Brown said the British air force would proceed with partners Germany, Italy and Spain on talks for the purchase of a third order of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

The announcement marks a positive step for the Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat-aircraft procurement.

"We look forward to receiving an affordable bid from European industry that will allow us to proceed with a program that will deliver advanced multi-role aircraft to the Royal Air Force and maintain high-technology skills and industrial capability across the (United Kingdom) and Europe," John Hutton, British defense secretary, said in a statement.

According to a news release, if the negotiations are successful, a contract for the aircraft could be signed in 2009.