we try, sometimes for the best of intentions, to do to much
we try and keep a full capability industry similar to the Americans
we also, because it's a great excuse, to try on insist on "interoperability" with our American friends
So we buy the wrong sort of kit for the wars we actually finish up fighting at vast cost
We don't need Type 45 destroyers, nor do we need the Typhoon nor heavy armoured brigades
However politicians are scared s****** of telling the papers and the Great British Public that we no longer have an Empire