The issue how can Bristows who will be providing this service for profit be cheaper than the RAF / RN?
The problem is that is the present and previous governments / civil servants are incapable of running any organisation efficiently.
As a civil servant I see on daily basis the ability of government bodies to waste money.
If we had a government and civil servants who could manage budgets etc there would no requirements for private companies to take over services.
The alternative now would be an efficient government body providing SAR and Police helicopter services.
Why aren't other countries also privatising SAR services if it a more affordable option?