Could well be positioning for UKSAR2G bid
Why would you buy a company that's only bidding but hasn't actually won anything yet? They'd be better off buying CHC Norway, but they didn't and bailed out completely from Norway. This rumour makes no sense whatsoever, especially not considering Babcock's multiple negative statements regarding offshore.
Besides, as far as I know, CHC UK isn't a seperate business unit, but part of a larger European business unit. They'd have to break that up first before they could sell the UK. But who knows, maybe Brexit more or less done this for them already.. Anything goes afterall in this dog eat dog world of O&G. Time will tell if this crazy rumour is true but I find it rather unlikely.