Seaplanes: who would want them?

With only a handful of Be-12’s remaining in service with the Russian AVMF and the Ukrainian AF, some five SH-5’s flying with China’s PLAN and 71 Kukotai of the Japanese Navy being the only user of the Shin Maywa US-1, one might wonder if there still is a role for military seaplanes apart from the fire-fighting CL-215.

I wonder what your opinions on this are. Both Russia and China use their aircraft for ASW, patrols and SAR, while the US-1 has been a SAR plane ever since the PS-1 patrol aircraft all were withdrawn by 1989. The days when the USN ordered huge Marin Mars flying boats, Convair Tradewind landing/assault seaplanes and even considered the Sea Dart supersonic floatplane fighter seem to be long gone, but would it be worth it to reconsider this?

Considering there are quite a few of navy guys out here, i presume there will be some interesting remarks…

Regards,

Arthur
Arthur