Splash 1983 - it might be more complicated than simply blaming the SKIPT - we got the FLIR on the Mk3A first because it was easier to integrate to the digital screens for the radar.
All the Sea Kings across both fleets should have been to 3A standard in the 1990s (with SN500 and a few other mods) but the RN realised they were getting Merlin and withdrew support for that, preferring to have the money in the new platform.
We only got 6 Mk3As as a result.
The Mk3s eventually got funding for the upgrade to the Dual Monitor system and then the FLIR for the sake of fleet commonality across RAF SAR.
The DL currency issue was driven by the boat drivers to provide assurance to the Captain of the ship that the crews of the helicopters wouldn't bend his boat because they had been properly trained.