Geoff Hoon is in Lincolnshire on Friday

RAF Coningsby is to become the new aircraft's first base.

Opponents of the Typhoon say it is out of date, but supporters say it is at the cutting edge of technology.

As the first tranche of 50 aircraft roll off the production line, most of them will end up in Coningsby as part of two squadrons at the base.

They will become part of 17 Squadron, the Operational Evaluation Unit writing the aircraft's handbook, or 29 Squadron, which will train pilots on the new aircraft.

After that, either one or two operational squadrons will be based at Coningsby.