I quoted this, above: "....ensuring the UK's continued leadership in fighter technology......"
I'm watching the headlines to see if he says that he "mis-spoke"
Don't see why he would, the UK is a major player in the Typhoon programme which is still developing and cutting edge, and also played a not insignificant part in the F-35 programme. For example it was UK research with the VAAC Harrier that led to the F-35Bs control logic which makes the aircraft simplicity to fly unlike its predecessor, this has in turn been fed into the F/A-18 to make carrier landings simpler.
Not to mention the continual upgrades to in service aircraft.
Thanks for that, Skippy.
Maybe I don't read enough current news, but to me, as I said earlier, this seems to be a well-kept secret.
Britain doesn't exactly push themselves to the front of the news in this respect.
I stand humbly corrected.