The Eurofighter Typhoon will be used for training purposes before the rest of Germany's total order of 180 aircraft is phased into operational use later in 2003 and over the next few years, the company, based near the southern city of Munich, said in a statement.

Deliveries to the air forces of the other countries involved in the project -- Britain, France and Italy -- will commence later this summer.

The Eurofighter is being made by a consortium that comprises Britain's BAE Systems, Germany's Daimler-Benz Aerospace (Dasa), Italy's Alenia and the Spanish group Casa.

The four consortium members have ordered 620 of the aircraft.

Britain has ordered 232 aircraft, Germany 180, Italy 121 and Spain 87. Each plane costs around 80 million euros (91 million dollars).

Last year Austria became the first nation outside the consortium to place an order, asking for 18. Greece has committed to 60 with an option for a further 30 aircraft.

The aircraft was officially licensed on June 30, certifying that the plane is airworthy and ready for use.

The single-seat plane is a multi-role, high-speed combat aircraft with a range of 2,500 kilometres (1,560 miles) and can be equipped with a mix of missiles depending on its mission.

Although planning for the aircraft began in 1977, financial worries caused repeated delays.

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