They are doing 'probing' flights which enable them to establish what the radar pick up range is and what the reaction time of the alert aircraft is. If we had a means of establishing that they were carrying conventional weapons and the target was the House of Commons we could consider letting then thru - perhaps??!!
Re procurement, time scales and threats it is worth noting that the Hurricane went from first flight to 200 aircraft delivered in just over 2 years. Admittedly, a much simpler aircraft and a much more real threat to meet.
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