Date: 2024-05-15 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017835
About UK Manufacturing
Military Aircraft
Why has the UK stopped the design/manufacture of fighter jets?
Peter Burgess
Alex Patrick Alex Patrick, B.Sc (Hons) Computer Science
Answered Nov 15 · Upvoted by Phil White, lives in The United Kingdom and Mike Walker, lives in The United Kingdom (1963-present)
Now, I must say the state of the British aircraft industry isn't particularly inspiring, especially compared to what it was prior to the mid-1960s.
That being said, the UK hasn't stopped the design and manufacture of military aircraft. It has generally stopped standalone development due to the astronomical costs associated with developing cutting edge aircraft of ones own.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was a British programme before other nations became involved in the 1990s.
BAe EAP
The BAe EAP demonstrator aircraft that was developed into the Typhoon. The UK designed the majority of the Eurofighter however opening up the project to other countries made manufacture and further development more affordable. British industry manufactures 37.5% of each Typhoon built.
The F-35 made use of research garnered from UKs similar project, the BAE Replica programme of the ‘90s. As the UK was so involved in the project, the entire aft end of every F-35 is manufacturered in Lancashire, along with more parts along the supply chain.
The Hawker Siddeley / BAE Hawk has been in production for 45 years, so it's not doing too badly.
Hawk T1
And the Tempest programme shows there's plenty of skill when it comes to development, however gaining sufficient funding - especially when most British governments don't care about Defence, is difficult - hence collaborating with other nations makes economic sense.
So, they design jet fighters and manufacture them. Just not alone any more on cost grounds.
Hope this helps.