Sticking neck out...
Isn't just more helicopters the wrong answer? What is the point in rounding up Pongos in bits (or worse) when we should be attacking the IEDs and Terry?
Neck back in...
Seriously, more SHs is not the only answer. More, C-IED capablity, armed overwatch (both UAV and NTISR), attack helos, more ISTAR (SIGINT, GMTI and SAR) are all in short supply and SAVE LIVES - if the UK wants to do this "on the cheap" then MQ-9 REAPER and MQ-1 PREDATOR offer up the "lion's share" of these capabilities to varying degrees. Furthermore, the RA's H450/WATCHKEEPERs could deliver some of these if funded correctly. Furthermore, "Direct-Fires" air platforms such as AC130 or A-10 would also be v-useful and SAVE LIVES.
Does anyone know what else was on Sir Jock's shopping list from the Air perspective???
LJ