3.21 The Department has assessed that the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft contributed to eight of the 15 security priority risks described in the National Security Strategy. 25 Nimrod was uniquely able to rapidly search large maritime areas, a capability relevant to long-range search and rescue, maritime counter terrorism, gathering strategic intelligence, and protecting the nuclear deterrent.
3.22 In the months leading up to the Strategic Defence and Security Review, studies were carried out by the Department to assess the capability gap from cancelling the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. The Department assessed that cancelling Nimrod would have consequences for the military tasks that the aircraft was expected to undertake, some of them severe. The Department, however, determined that compared to other options this was the most effective means of reducing cost whilst minimising the loss of capability.
3.23 Some limited analysis was carried out on how specific military tasks could be covered by a combination of Sentry surveillance aircraft, Hercules transport aircraft and the Merlin maritime helicopters. However, the Department noted that there would be 'significant shortfalls without significant investment, and the co-ordination of such assets at the right place and the right time might prove to be very risky'. Figure 18 overleaf summarises the military tasks, the capability gap and an explanation of the possible mitigation strategies currently being assessed by the Department.
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25 A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: National Security Strategy, October 2010, page 27 http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_191639.pdf