Wizard - all true but definitely an EC view of the world. Nimrod was flying and about to enter service and then was binned. The Puma has been a hot topic over the past few weeks - even more so since the 14 CH47s were contracted. As for it being the "preferred choice" for SF well, outside the urban environment that's a load of EC marketing spiel - even the extra tank and CAFTS isn't going to turn it into a long range insertion platform a la CH47/CV-22.
If I were in CHF, or a supporter of them, I'd be lobbying real hard for Puma 2; if the Puma is binned I can't see any way CAS will give up 2 Sqns of Merlins - I don't think a trite "he's been ordered" swings it. The original Transfer was predicated on 24 CH47s - if the RAF loses Puma as well as the 10 Chinooks it's not the same ballgame. IMHO it would be a transfer of Puma crews & numberplate to the new CH47 Sqn and probably the end of the road for CHF
