Why, when there is a known capability gap within the military sphere, would any other department go and buy a single role SAR/coastguard aircraft. Dept for Transport have long had responsibility for LR SAR - it is not a Military Task. However, DfT are unlikely to be able to afford their own fleet of LR SAR aircraft - even if that was to be half a dozen second hand marinised C130Js. Although...... when do the RAF start scrapping their
Js?? Seriously though, the UK (Defence) has a known requirement for a MMA/MPA which could fill a large number of roles, including LR SAR from irreducible spare capacity.