The Sea Kings are due to be replaced by 2014

The head of the Ramblers today called for a Government statement on the future of rescue helicopters.

Speculation this week is widespread that the coalition administration will proceed with the planned privatisation of search and rescue aircraft that was put on hold when the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition came to power.

The £7bn plans would see the service transferred from the RAF and Royal Navy Sea Kings to a consortium that includes Royal Bank of Scotland, French company Thales, Canadian Helicopter Corporation and Sikorsky, operating new Sikorsky SAR-H S92A craft.

Ramblers’ chief executive Tom Franklin called for clarification on the plans. “Today we have a superb search and rescue service in the UK which is the envy of many other countries,” he said. “Close cooperation between military, police and civilian interests is at the heart of this service and relies on the massive contribution of volunteer time and effort through our civilian mountain rescue teams.

“This is the Big Society working at its best, as it has done for decades.

“It is essential that the UK Government understands the full picture and does not take decisions on one part of the rescue service that undermines the service as a whole.”

He praised the skill and courage of the RAF and Royal Navy pilots and crews and said the new provision should be able to operate in the same conditions and within reach of the mountainous terrain where much of the search and rescue helicopters’ work is carried out.

He said: “We recognise the crucial role played by helicopters in search and rescue and of course accept the need to replace the long-serving Sea Kings with modern aircraft.

“New helicopters with greater range, speed and operational capability is an obvious step forward providing such aircraft are based in locations which ensure their ability to reach incidents is no less than at present.

“Equally important is the need for the operational instructions given to any civilian aircrew to include the same degree of flexibility that military crew enjoy. The aircrew of the RAF and Navy search and rescue helicopters are renowned for their skill in operating in dangerous terrain, especially when flying close to cliff faces and also when dealing with the most severe weather conditions.

“Such conditions, with frequent storms and low cloud over our hills are typical of a maritime nation. It is essential that civilian aircrew operating under privatised arrangements are allowed to operate to the same standards as are currently delivered by military crew.”

Mr Franklin also expressed concern military cuts could lead to the disbanding of the existing RAF mountain rescue teams which, he said, provide an irreplaceable service.

“These RAF teams have been of enormous importance over the years in the contribution they make to the overall mountain rescue provision, working alongside the civilian teams.

“Their expertise and availability cannot be replaced by extra civilian provision. There simply would not be enough volunteers available to replace what is delivered by the RAF and could lead to the perverse consequence of the present effective and efficient operations being replaced by a mountain rescue service that was paid for to a greater extent by the public purse.”

The Ramblers’ chief executive dismissed suggestions that walkers, climbers and mountaineers would in future have to take out insurance to pay for any helicopter rescue.

“This issue has been well explored by UK and Scottish politicians in recent times,” he said. “I see no possibility that this will come back on the agenda. Every politician knows that it is a vote loser and, at a time when we are all putting big efforts into getting more people out into the countryside to enjoy healthy lifestyles, I would be astounded if anybody is going to push forward a scheme that simply puts unnecessary barriers in front of public access and enjoyment of our countryside.”

Up to half of incidents covered by some of the Royal Navy and RAF Sea Kings are mountain rescues. In the North-West of Scotland and in south-west England, Coastguard Sikorsky helicopters also carry out mountain and moorland rescues.

The ageing Sea Kings of the military search and rescue service are due to be replaced in 2014.