Crab - I think that your outlook for military SAR is a little gloomy given that air ambulances are forbidden by the CAA from fitting winches and from involving themselves in any form of SAR. Also the fact that they are public transport aircraft severely limits their night capability and confines them to operating from a few approved HLS only. Military SAR has always, and will always be under the microscope as by definition military aid to civilians is an abuse of assets. However, there has just been a review of SAR helicopter coverage that recommended no change to the existing structure and I would be v.suprised if anything (even the SABRE project) changed in the short term.
By the way, the Coastguard ALREADY have responsibility for ALL maritime SAR and have done for many years. Military SAR involvement in maritime incidents is only ever at the invite/request of the Coastguard. On a similar note, all of your overland SAR is at the request of the police and the only one that the RAF actually has any formal responsibility for is aviation SAR (plus all military work)
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Good luck against those elephants