But when you launch an aircraft, which is questionably airworthy, against the enemy and you lose it due to that 'airworthiness' what have you actually achieved other than to do the enemy's job for him, especially if it is full of troops when it goes in?
And that's the point being missed by a country mile here - the additional hazards encountered during operations should be mitgated to a degree knowing that the aircraft has been designed and certified to operate safely in that environment. When safety shortcomings actually exacerbate operational hazards (like the Sea King) you are in a world of trouble.