Over the last 3 days we at Yeovilton have received numerous briefings on what will happen post SDSR. A Brief precis is this:
1. The RAF Brief was a typo they will hand over Merlin by 2016. (Admitted by CAS after being questioned on wednesday)
2. Sea King 4 and 7 gone in 2016.
3. Merlin 3/3A flown by CHF from 2016.
4. Merlin 4 (Marinised) introduced in about 2018.
However, the caveat to all this is the final decision is still to be made, apparently yet another bun fight is to be had just before christmas. Oh the joys of interservice politics...
The Briefs were given by 1SL, CO CHF, ACOS(AV)