Now, now - where's that Jungly sense of humour!
It'll be awhile but you'll get your Merlins idc. Once the crabs have discarded theirs. Then you'll have a pukka chopper.
A debate on taxpayers' value for money/military necessity could spawn a thread as long as your list of anti-SAR gripes old chap!
But seriously, as has been said before, if it's going to come down to nothing more than a metric test of value for money, then it's probably time to hang up our spurs isn't it? I think there's a balance to be struck between mil SAR/COMR/MCA and still leave a couple of quid to let the SH mates buy some toys.
Restructure fine, but a bit narrow minded to up-board yet I think.