ramp up wrote:
"But the real question is why are we looking at axing the Puma 2 and giving the Merlin to the Navy"
and:
"Wouldn't it be better to consider getting rid of something less capabale eg wildcat and keeping the Puma"
1) This thread is about the Wildcat, not the Seaking/Puma/Merlin/Chinook or who operates them.
2) I presume that you are referring to the Army version of the Wildcat, if not have a look at the role of the Grey Lynx and see let me know how much of that role could be done by a Puma.
3) The role of Army Wildcat is not the same as Puma. Having a mixture of helicopter sizes and fits for different roles really is essential. Would you want to do convoy overwatch, battlefield recce or amphib ops in a Puma?
I'm not trying to get rid of Puma, I like the idea of Puma 2 and I have friends who fly it.