Epiphany - I accept the point that change is coming but what is driving that change is the real issue. The taxpayer has to pay for the Govt to discharge its responsibility for SAR in the UK region whichever way you cut it; the Military element of SAR would not cost £5Bn to provide for the next 25 years (25 years for the SARH contract 500e) so why is the taxpayer being asked to cough up that amount to replace it (and the 4 existing civsar flts) which I don't think costs £200 million per year.
That works out (with 12 SAR flts) at £16.5 million per flight per year - what is the price of a new aircraft? For less than 2 years expenditure you could provide all 12 flights with new aircraft and retain the present Mil/civ crewing and have aircraft that would last a least 10 years.
The whole point of SARH was that it would provide a better service (or at least as good) with value for money for the UK taxpayer - it looks as if it will fail on both counts. It is utter madness.
Just like privatising the utilities companies we will be writing a blank cheque to the service providers and allow them to take big profits when things go well and come crawling to the chancellor for cash when unforseen (well by them anyway) circumstances affect their bottom line.
Before long we will have 'EASY-SAR' provided by the very cheapest bidder where every rescue is charged to the rescuee (and they will charge extra if they have to rescue your bags as well).