"However nothing was available to cover the Nimrod mission" - The RN claimed that the Merlin could deliver the ASW element of protecting the CASD and fleet (in concert with DD/FF and SSNs) and the RAF insisted that the C130 could fulfil our long range SAR commitment. The overland role of the Nimrod was, it seems, significantly understated and, allegedly, Cameron was quite angry when he found out what capability gaps the decision caused…...