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Even at the time there were those who could see that guided missiles would eventually make such aircraft vulnerable, but development of such missiles was proving difficult, and fast and high-flying bombers were likely to serve for years before there was a need for something better.

Massed bombers were unnecessary if a single bomber could destroy an entire city or military installation with a nuclear weapon.

It would have to be a large bomber, since the first generation of nuclear weapons were big and heavy.

Such a large and advanced bomber would be expensive on a unit basis, but would also be produced in much smaller quantities.

The arrival of the Cold War also emphasised to British military planners the need to modernise UK forces.

Furthermore, the United Kingdom's uncertain military relationship with the United States, particularly in the immediate postwar years when American isolationism made a short-lived comeback, led the UK to decide it needed its own strategic nuclear strike force.