Here we go again... My chopper is bigger than yours routine.
We all like a big chopper however and it is a big however, The tasking for the last 5 or so years fully document how many people and in what scenario they were helped.
The ONLY factors which will decide the next aircraft are the Facts .Not supposition or what ifs.
The government has a duty to provide a service at a reasonable cost. 100 year events of the Titanic sinking again in the channel will not factor in to that .
The reality is the tasking carried out by the 92 could have been done cheaper with a smaller airframe it would be irresponsible of the government not to know that fact and act accordingly.
Oh and I'm a big Fan of the 92 and it saddens me write this.
Did it do a good job ? yes
Is it the most cost effective way of achieving that job? probably not.