Caveat: been out of the loop for the Mk2 for a while so not all the following may still be true!
The combination of upgraded engine and transmission, giving it a higher lift capability (in a temperate climate) at sea level
Nope, no upgraded transmission, but the additional power from the Makila engines will give a MAUM that is 7400kg permanently, rather than the 7000kg with 7400kg available for a couple of very limited roles currently authorised. Performance at temperate sea level will be remarkably similar and still be transmission limited, it is hot and high (where the current Mk1 is engine limited but the Mk2 won't be) that the performance increase will be the most noticeable. With that in mind, now where do you think it might be headed?
Apart from not having a clearance to land on ships which must be a requirement for SAR Ops down south.
Exactly. And although the Mk2 will have a little extra fuel, it still will have much much less range than the Sea Kings currently do, and be far less capable in that role.
This combined with the perceived current lack of role
Of course, 10 years on virtually continuous ops, taking a well-earned break, suddenly it has no role?