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DeliciousBritain could lose aerospace top spot
Monday, March 29, 2010
Ian Godden, chairman of A|D|S, said we were not investing enough to maintain our position as first in Europe and second in the world. He said countries like Spain and Germany were very keen to take our place, adding that they were "very jealous" of our capability.
Godden said that the UK came "within a whisker" of losing that capability recently during the A400M row. It is believed Spain pushed the UK to give up hundreds of specialist jobs if it was not willing to contribute to the rescue package for the troubled aircraft.
In 2009 the UK invested approximately £665m on aerospace. In contrast, France invested €1.2bn and Germany invested €1.1bn.
"If I was a poker player, I would say the chips we've put in will mean our market share will go down from 17 per cent to 10 per cent over a 20-year period," he said.
"Forget India, China and Japan. We lag our own neighbours. We lag France, Germany and the US."
HAVE YOUR SAY
More evidence of short sighted British government failing to understand that foreign investors/buyers are only to willing to asset strip British Industry; that foreign governments and industry are only too willing to take our markets; that industry can only do so much on its own; that ultimately this country needs to earn a living from other than dodgy financial services.
Do they not understand that if they want us to have high tec industry, it is defence and aerospace that are the sound foundations for this??
Norman - UK
Why should the UK defence industry be exempt from moving down to the second or third division like everything else in the country?
Bob M - Surrey UK
Where is the Tornado bomber replacement? Britain needs a 21st century Vulcan/F-111. We could afford it if we used the method the Swedes used for the Gripen. UK project , but buy in existing technology from elsewhere. Cuts development time & costs.
John Hartley - Woking/Surrey/UK
It is an unpleasant thought, but is it conceivable that deep within the British Hiearchy, there is a "Fifth Column" in existence, which is charged with the rapid destruction and disposal overseas of all UK's technologies and industrial advancements? What exactly do we have left in UK that is not Foreign owned or heavily subsidised from abroad? I submit that it is, by and large too late to return from the abyss, but just contemplate what has been sold, or given away to foreign powers, and the situation we mare going to find ourselves in in a very short time, and who among our "leaders" will be made to admit guilt in bringing uk to this sad state. I think we ought to be told.
Mike Hemingway - Wales uk