Widger,
You are correct that SAR is not, nor should it be, the highest priority for a military MPA. Although, whilst other options for that are available, I am not aware of any asset providing any sort of SAR cover at the extremities of the UK AOR - I standby to be corrected again!
That said, SAR does provide a high degree of media interest. More than any other tasking, I'd suggest.
I think that the capability requirement, or lack thereof, needs to be determined; we need to determine how much cash the Treasury will give us in order that we can realistically determine the options; then tell HMG what capability we would then posses with our preferential bid. It'll never happen.
Duncs
