manc,
Between 1938 and 1941 the British aircraft industry failed to deliver on a number of maritime aircraft programmes. The only really succesful indigenous design, the Sunderland, was built at a low rate because Shorts could make more money from the Stirling. The RAF responded by buying American MPA (first the Catalina and later the very-long-range Liberator). Predictably enough this provoked howls of protest from British industry, despite their lack of comparable offerings! Whilst both American aircraft were superb, it was the Liberator that was primarily responsible for closing the "Atlantic Gap" and effectively bringing the Battle of the Atlantic to an end.
As in so many other aspects of history - we have been here before. BAE will not dare kick up a stink about P-8 because it would just draw more attention to the MRA4; the only reason BAE haven't copped more stick already is that it suits both BAE and the MoD to gloss over the whole episode and hope it goes away. If a slanging match develops, I would not be entirely surprised to see some ugly truths about MRA4 finding their way into circulation. They were already hinted at in Fox's letter higher up the thread.