IMRH is a generation ahead of MI17. It is safer, has superior performance, likely better maintainability, more automatic functions, more user friendly etc etc not to mention being INDIAN.
These might seem like modest improvements to you but for a nation that 20 years ago hadn’t even made a gyrocopter to now being able to deliver world class 12-13 ton behemoth that many militaries can’t afford let along nations build is nothing to be scoffed at.
You would rather see the ICG go waiting for endless years for a super duper transformer than have a domestic solution ?
Same with the IN and the ASW role.
Same with the IA and their aviation brigades.
In what world does India need a ultra cutting edge next generation push design helo for that? 1) those designs are at their very early stages right now and none will be in IMRH class for a long time and 2) India isn’t the US, it doesn’t need these fast long range helos that will go 1000s of KMs into enemy territory, the entire US military is designed to be expeditionary- the Indian military is not. Why ape the West blindly?
You’d have the services wait decades for something they don’t even need?
I’m sorry but if HAL could build and deliver something in the H225M class tomorrow are you really saying the services who have been screaming out for such a helo for years would turn it down?
Let’s live in the real world. By your analogy LCA should’ve been a 6G plane because that is what US is designing.
The “traditional” helo design isn’t going anywhere the USMC has sunk 10s billions into the CH53K, the US army has ordered 100s of the CH47F. Everything else is just a pipe dream that the Indian armed forces cannot afford to indulge in.
Sorry to say but you're trying too hard to buttress your original declaration with much supporting arguments!
Firstly, Unlike when Tejas design was started, HAL currently has 3 separate Helo designs (albeit overlapping) that are flying successfully. The attributes that you talk about - safety, maintainability, automation, user-friendliness have all been already implemented in ALH, LCH & LUH.
Secondly, when Tejas design was being initiated use of composites, FBW was also very very advanced stuff!!! If those can be achieved then so can a simple pusher model!
Thirdly, If you realize, there is already a shaft that runs from the engines to the tail that rotates the tail rotor. The pusher model will transmit more power (that's all!). The laws of physics for a rotor to push are fairly simple......HAL has good experience in designing prop planes!
Fourthly, IMRH (even with the traditional model) first flight is not expected for another 10 years...with production at least 5 years after that! The CH53Ks that you talk about, the design work started about 15 yrs ago....and they also use COMPOUND ROTORS!
Fifthly, Speed, range and fuel efficiency are key parameters when hauling troops from one sector to another during peak battle! The slow-lumbering traditional helos will be at a disadvantage!!! It has nothing to do with US being expeditionary and India being a pacifist!!!
Compound rotor is the only new tech that HAL will need to develop.....the gear system probably will be easy enough. The complication if any would be in the 'control' part.....varying the speeds of diff rotors for turning etc. But it's not an insurmountable problem!!!
If HAL indeed wants to make a sale to IAF/IN/IA in 15 years time, then they better adopt newer designs to offer better speed, range & efficiency. If they don't hit those parameters then you'll again see IAF/IN/IA going to V22s Osprey or other pusher helos from the international market! The fanboys will continue to cry foul!!!!!