"perceived current lack of role ". Nonsense I'm afraid. Mk1 Puma will have a vital, if unsung, role till OSD and Puma II will have a crucial role in "other places" given the expected turmoil likely to be caused by other ac upgrade programmes over the next decade or so.
Didn't realise that the FI provision of SAR was outside SAR-H; perhaps the "revolving door" in/out of the SAR world in future will include a 4-6 monther in the FI flying extra ac covered by a seperate contract?