I can't agree. There should be no reduction in the quality of service. Full stop. That's what has been promised since day one.
This isn't about technical aspects of the aircraft, it is about currency and re-currency. We are constantly told that civilian SAR crews have been producing a world-leading capability (Bristow's words, not mine
Rescue Helicopter ? SAR Helicopter ? Search & Rescue Helicopter - bristowgroup.com ) yet they don't even practise night wets.
And neither are they going to.
There is no currency requirement to do so and neither will there be. No one here will admit it but it's true. How can that be a world-leading capability and how is that no reduction of quality of service in the UK? Night wets can be flucking hard work even for those that practise it regularly and they have the potential to fluck you up in a major way if you attempt it without having done it before.