Maroon
I think you need to realise that without the Merlin coming to the RN, the FAA is unsupportably small.
ie, end of. close up shop. Not just junglies, but the lot of us. Below a certain number, it makes no sense to try to maintain the whole pyramid.
This may not seem like a bad thing to you, but the consequences of that are so enormous that I am sure it will go dark blue in its entirety, whatever your higher ups may say/wish quietly. The Puma thing is your sop. enjoy it.
I am willing to lay a bet that if I am wrong I never post again.
Ready to match my bet?