ORAC,
Whilst a lot of this makes sense the difference this time around is that no one is trumpeting the missile as the replacement, which was the case in 1957. UK never did ever develop a follow on for the first round of the 1957 missile programme. It was envisaged that there would be generation after generation developed to follow on from Bloodhound and thunderbird, never did happen. The whole UCAV scenario is so different with BAES having a whole host in development.
Not sure about the dire predictions for the "last fighter factory" as these will be conceived, designed, engineered and built at Warton, Brough and Samlesbury
What does NOT make sense is the totally inaccurate and wholly misleading statement;
"As a practical matter, the UK is already incapable of making combat aircraft without assistance from abroad."
That statement totally misses the point that modern combat aircraft are now SO expensive that not even the USA can develop them on their own any more. Not because they lack the technology, they are just so frighteningly expensive!
In the UK factories ALL aspects of modern aircraft manufacture can be found. We don't build the wings for the Eurofighter Typhoon but that doesn't mean that we can't build wings any more. BAES designed the wings for the Grippen, designed and still build a new wing for Hawk, and there are more airliner wings designed and built in the UK than in any other country on the planet.