As the UK prepares to make major changes to its search and rescue (SAR) helicopter force, many pundits believe that they will see the end of a 'money-no-object' service that has always been driven primarily by the need to save lives. Instead, it will be tightly cost-driven, and shaped by the need to generate profit for its investors. With the deepening economic crisis, the consortia bidding to provide the service are finding it difficult to obtain the required financing. Furthermore, AgustaWestland's shock departure (along with the rest of the UK Air Rescue consortium) was an indication that the SAR contract had become a 'company-killer', with little or no prospect of profit. It was said that the planned new arrangements would "deliver at least as effective a service as the current one, whilst providing value for money for the taxpayer" and that there would be no reduction in the quality of service, and 'no less capability'. SAR 'insiders' dispute this, and suggest that the system is moving towards one that is based not on excellence, but on planned adequacy.
展开▼
