Fleet proposes an Anglo-French heavy bomber, conditional on the eventual cost of B-21 and on France deciding it wants a comparable long-range capability. He sees joint production as a possible source of work and renewed aircraft-building capability for British industry. Clarke challenges that benefit, arguing that France would demand leadership and most of the industrial work. Fleet accepts that possibility but argues that even a ten-percent British share would return some expenditure to domestic industry. In his comparison, buying an American aircraft would send all of the purchase expenditure abroad. The disagreement concerns whether a limited industrial share would justify the risks of a joint development program.
Notable Point · 3:25:15-3:29:03
Would a joint bomber program support British aircraft production?
A limited British work share could benefit domestic industry, but the participants disagree about what France would demand in return.