Talk of RN SAR when embarked brings the question of whether, in the absence of a budget for escort destroyers (!), we can expect new efforts in RN SAR as we approach the new carrier age.
In the same period, aircraft will return from Afghanistan. Even after scrapping some of them, and transfer between services, we may end 2015 with the question of why it was necessary to spend up to £3.1 billion on more helicopters.
I do wonder if we are going to be spending 2016 explaining to Joe Public and our dear friends in the Press why a Puma Mk2 isn't as good as a new S-92 with de-icing and a top quality FLIR ball.