Forgive them nothing.
Oh I think they know very well what they are doing.
At some point the country will wake up and give the government of the day a clear mandate to re-arm the forces. This will of course involve building more aircraft which will be tarted up with the promise of British jobs but no matter what they buy, there will be a way for the UK defence industry to be part of it.
Engines or avionics or assembly, you can bet that at some point our current and recently ex lords and masters will have a finger in the till of whatever company gets that deal.
Why keep aircraft that have been paid for when you can make the MOD buy new stuff from your next employer?