845 moved to AgustaWestland Merlin HC3A aircraft after extended operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those airframes originated in a Danish order, were operated by the Royal Air Force, and were transferred to the Royal Navy around 2012 to ease a shortage in the Merlin fleet. The Navy's Commando Merlins were brought to a common HC4 standard by roughly the second half of 2022. The aircraft provide substantial lift and a rear ramp that would have been useful during the Falklands War. Their acquisition history shows the risk of buying only the number of airframes that a minimum forecast says will be necessary.
Notable Point · 37:07-40:23
Merlin transition and the risk of minimum airframe planning
845's move to the Merlin shows how buying the minimum projected number of airframes leaves little room for unexpected troop-lift demands.