All of last few pages of this thread still doesn't address the issue of capability. Without a cab that has the power, and is maranised(and paid for), there is no capability. If there is no need to marinise, because CHF will not spend enough time at sea with the Merlin, then there is no need to transfer....
I really hope that this does not go ahead on the Mk3. If it does, standby for the RAF to deploy to sea with the RN anyway. On the Chinook...