Tallsar - yes it will be interesting to see those who have tried to get rid of SAR from the military realise that MoD will be footing 2/3 of the bill by 2017 once all the mil flights have been taken over and that the PFI might knock some of the more 'core' projects into touch.
And, as you say, the budgetry profile of SARH might also work in its favour since the full cost isn't felt for several years which is a very long time in both politics and long-term costings juggling.
Jack, Carson blades aren't the answer to the poor Mk 3 fleet, everything about the aircraft is knackered and putting on new blades to increase the flight envelope just puts more stress on the rest of the very old airframe and avionics. If a more serious review was considered, like removing the folding head and tail, completely replacing the avionics and cockpit with modern, digital equipment (EFIS, moving map etc) and then doing the full Carson mod with the bifilar absorbers and lifting frames - then we might see an aircraft capable of continuing SAR for 10 to 15 years and deferring the time when new procurement is absolutely necessary.
It ain't going to happen because the concept of spend to save is alien to the bean counters.
We are now in a position where Govt spending is the only thing keeping the economy going and defence spending means jobs. Just a shame that the 2 bidders are sourcing their aircraft from Eurocopter and Sikorsky and neither will be built in UK. That's not to say I want the Merlin but I'm sure the Sea King modifications could be done under license at AW.