Tech problems ground warplanes

2003-10-14 16:54

London - Five Eurofighter warplanes due to become part of Britain's Royal Air Force by the end of the year have been temporarily suspended from flying because of technical problems, the RAF said on Tuesday.

"It was an electrical problem with the landing gear of the plane," an RAF spokesperson told AFP.

"They have not been grounded for ever, it's just while they found out what the problem is," the spokesperson said.

The RAF was due to receive a first contingent of five Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes by the end of the year. The grounded aircraft were undergoing flight tests before they were officially handed over to Britain's air force.

Britain, which joined the Eurofighter project along with Germany, Italy and Spain, has already placed a firm order for 55 of the aircraft.

London's Times newspaper reported on Tuesday that the ambitious four-nation project to boost European military capabilities was already four years behind schedule.

The aircraft, which cost £57m each, have been criticised for being Cold War relics that are barely capable of dealing with modern threats.

- SAPA