SLXowft,
Your last paragraph is spot on, Cybre, AI and Space are, as you say, the new aeroplane and indeed, the new Tank and Submarine, but the vital point is that these were then and are now, additional strands to the defence spectrum, not developments to replace the obsolescent. Too many in the political world see the comparison in terms of Tanks versus Cavalrymen with Sabres etc rather than the Tank will support the Infantry, as does the Artillery already. The Submarine will help protect the, Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers and Frigates etc. The aeroplane contested other aeroplanes and provided long-range strike which we ultimately rely on Submarines for, the latter being the earlier patented invention. But for throughout, aeroplanes have supported sea and land operations, even though as pr00ne would point out, the RAF lost a hell of a lot of its CAS/BAI capability from 1957 onwards until the advent of the Harrier/Jaguar etc.
FB