More than anything else, this is about the people in charge, making decisions.
They have decided to go down the NPAS route and spend less money doing that instead of doing what used to be done. That is the priority here and has been from day one. They are not trying to provide the great service that we all were used to having, they are trying to spend less money. That's it.
NPAS, without doubt, WILL BE CHEAPER, just as closing down Air Support entirely would be cheaper.
I am not in favour of this, I just see that it is going to keep on happening, it is of no consequence to the paymasters that the troops are revolting.
Chain of command, do as you are told, etc.