IMRH is nowhere in contention,has never flown,only a mock-up unveiled and a dedicated naval multi-role helo will take years to perfect There was a report somewhere which said that the IN was not interested in it.Its needs are immediate.
Reg. KA--226.Larger KA-28/31s are being used,can't reason why the much smaller KA-226 can't fit the bill,fit int a hangar with its co-axial rotors.unfortunately,one hasn't seen a naval variant with sonar and torpedo carrying ability. There are other similar western options for the LUH req.Unfortunately,AW shot itself in the foot with the VVIP scandal.The AW-101 is a fab helo The NH-90 should stand a chance as there is little talk now about flaws and it is a more modern bird.20 yrs. younger than the S-70.First helo to have FBW controls.More than 300 in service.The Seahawk deal floundered over claims of excessive cost.Can't see how that will go down positively in the future.We were going to pay $!B for 16 helos,working out to round 50-60M a unit.
The NH-90 was disqualified earlier being tagged along with the AW group,but NH is an Airbus controlled industry which had partners like Leonardo (AW) and Fokker.Most European manufacturers have multi-national partnerships and it would be impossible to acquire anything from Europe if such overwhelming sanctions are imposed. AW belonging to the larger group,saw that the deal for Blackshark torpedoes got cancelled even though there is no direct connection between the two cos.Our Scorpenes are now languishing becos of this. The BS was chosen over the German SeaHake which we may now acquire which Pak has been using for a long time!
Eurocopter is another option.Indonesia ordered the Panther,The AW-159 won the SoKo order against the MH-60R Seahawk.Becos of the AW backlisting,unlikely,though a v,good helo.Kamov are upgrading their KA-27/28 veterans,we're upgrading all of them and they should be appearing on the 4 extra Talwars when they arrive.
The dark horse I think is the Airbus EC-725 for the heavy MR req. First flew in 2000,and as the report below says,Fr. is willing to set up a manufacturing unit here if the deal is struck.Two reports here.
By 2015, the EC725, since re-designated as the H225M, was being manufactured on two separate production lines in France and Brazil. In July 2015, Airbus Helicopters announced that it was considering setting up a third assembly line in India if the firm was successful at winning an Indian tender for naval helicopters.[4]
The EC725 has been submitted to the Indian Navy's Naval Multi-Role Helicopter (NMRH) competition, seeking 120 helicopters to replace its aging Westland Sea King fleet.[40][41] In October 2015, Indian authorities were holding discussions to finalize a deal for 14 H225s for the Indian Coast Guard. Media reports note that Airbus was in the lead to win the contract, having made a lower financial bid than rival Sikorsky for their S-92. The submitted bid complies with a 30% offset clause, requiring Airbus to invest Rs.600 crore of the Rs.2000 crore bid in India's defense and aerospace manufacturing sector.[42]