The UK’s search for international buyers for many of its Eurofighters – reported in Wednesday’s Financial Times – is sensible given the severe cash constraints at the Ministry of Defence. Frustrated officers and arms industry executives have long argued that the government needs to be far more ruthless about culling big ticket weapons projects.

As well as the surplus Eurofighters, seen by some as a relic of cold war military planning, Britain is committed to the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, a fleet of Joint Strike Fighters to fly off them, the £20bn replacement of the Trident nuclear deterrent and a £16bn programme to provide the army with an armoured vehicle for fighting urban insurgents. The deficit of about £2bn in its recent funding round suggests something has to give. But do not hold your breath.