The Typhoons in action over Libya belong to No3 Squadron, which conducts air-to-air missions and the aircraft are generally configured as such.

The no-fly zone is the Typhoon’s first operational deployment in a war zone, although it has been in action patrolling the Falkland Islands since October 2009.

Britain currently has 70 of the one-crew aircraft but will get 160 as part of the £37 billion Eurofighter project, and may eventually have more than 230.

Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain formally agreed to start development of the aircraft in 1988 with contracts for a first batch of 148 aircraft.

Deliveries to the RAF started in 2003 to 17(R) Sqn, based at BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, alongside the factory in which the aircraft are assembled, while detailed development and testing of the aircraft was carried out.

Formal activation of the Typhoon Squadron at RAF Coningsby took place in 2005.