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LL, the EC635 (not 625) is a militarised version of the EC135, which is a different machine.
FM,
from the link you posted:
The first two customers for the EC 145 are the French Securite Civile, the French civil defence and emergency preparedness organisation, which placed an order for 32 EC 145s in December 1997, and the French Gendarmerie which placed an order for eight helicopters in 1999. The first helicopter was delivered to the Securite Civile in April 2002 and to the Gendarmerie in December 2002.
EC-145
If nothing else,the fact that they are both powered by the Turmomeca Arriel engine,also found in the Dauphin can only help,though the newer engine had a higher power rating.
6cu/m of internal useful load is about the same as an average Ford Transit, and we know how useful they are..
The Gendairme in france recently Replaced their A3's with this type,and they used theirs in a similar manner to us...i.e. for everything..
Previously the contenders for allouette 3 replacment were the A109 and the EC135. Perhaps the experience with the GASU in the latter type has changed the minds of those who know best?
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
There are horses for courses, and there are helicopters for jobs. The EC 135 is well suited for Police role, and the carriage of three crew plus role equipment. The 145 is a larger machine, with capacity for many more roles, at higher operating costs, and with a greater capacity for carriage of personnel and equipment. Its a bit like having a Lincoln Continental, wheras all you need is a standard family saloon. I have seen its predecessor, the Kawasaki BK 117 in use in Australia. Attached see photo, and what it can carry. If the 145 is not selected as a replacement for the Alouettes AND Dauphans, someone needs their head examined.
Can't see it happening because of our ties to europe, doubts about India's aviation industry re: safety.
And finally the ALH while very capable for it's cost still isn't very cheap, when people refer to India being poor they aren't talking about the defence budget.
"It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke
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