Surely the effectivness of a Support Helicopter force is dependant on the individuals in the force, their training, experience (in role) and ability. Providing it is planned and delivered correctly a change of aircraft type should only improve this effectiveness. The government have decided that there continues to be a requirement for an SH force with expertise to operate in the amphibious environment. When the RAF took on the Merlin they utilised the existing SH expertise from within their organisation to provide an SH capability in a very short period of time. The Junglies will do the same by learning the relevant lessons from their RAF brethren and then molding this and their own style to amphibious operations. This is after all only a change of aircraft type - yes it has a few more bells and whistles but lets not over egg it. The upshot is that there will be no loss in effectiveness by transferring the Merlin and the governments requirement for a continued Amphibious capability will be met - ultimately regardless of whether the Mk4 upgrade takes place or not. It seems to me that the key point here is that it is the government that decides the capabilities that it wants and not the CAS or FSL.