I hadn't really noticed but...
"The UK also operates an airborne maritime surveillance capability."
Source - National Strategy for Maritme Security 2014 - published this month. This is what it has to say about the futue for Maritime Air:
Aerial Surveillance. In order to deliver more cost-effective aerial surveillance of the UK Marine Areawhile satisfying the needs of the MCA, Border Force and MMO, we will work to harmonise contractedAerial Maritime Surveillance provision by 2015. This new provision will take full advantage of advances in technology and deliver some contingent capability to other agencies and government departments.The UK Armed Forces requirements and capabilities in air-based Intelligence,Surveillance, Targetingand Reconnaissance (ISTAR), including future maritime surface and sub-surface surveillance, will beconsidered in 2015, within the Strategic Defence and Security Review process.
More than I expected to find to be honest.
CS