Crab: you certainly know how to win friends and influence people with comments like that about West Wales, don't you?
Perhaps you should have tried for an Uruguayan SAR job while you were out there?
Of course, as Tallstar commented, Industry constantly 'massage / coerce / lobby / nudge government (DfT) about the perfect scheme. That is why there is the option to offer more than one type. The old contract was a little less elastic in that regard.
In addition, versatility now will lend itself to a more joined up National Emergency Services Air Force in 2023 or thereabouts, with 92's, 169's, 135's, dotted all around the country.
"Industry" has already christened this foundling: "LONG SAR". Long live SAR(H).
Tobe honest, I thought it would be 9 bases and a 5 yr contract. That would come across as a cheaper product in the eyes of the taxpayer. [Smoke and mirrors]. But someone has pulled back from that fast ball.
The good news is that it's being run by civvies for civvies.....
teh he he..................................