Why do you think we had an SK ASW squadron at Prestwick? They were there to screen the Faslane boats out into the N Atlantic.
Ah...now ISTR we got rid of that a SDR or 2 ago because the merlin was considered faster & more capable in ASW than the SK & therefore we could do with less bases/airframes. That decision, from those who clearly understood ASW tactics better than the ASW specialists, that the RN would deploy a merlin as & when necessary to provide the screen, was implemented before the merlin had been fully proved or cost comparison undertaken.
Now we see the RN merlin fleet stretched, deployed to provide other capabilites in other parts of the world & very little in the way of real ASW. In fact interested to know whether the merlin crews even consider or train for ASW as a primary role any more??
With SARH proffing faster more capable, but fewer in number, platforms, now under review to establish if it could be done even cheaper, one wonders how many more times the wheel must turn before those that make decisions actually listen to those providing the capability currently and who know what they're talking about.