The AW-149 would be a good choice as a utility chopper for the British.Here in Ireland we have bought 6 AW-139’s and are using them in support of the army.They are equipped with GPMG’s, fast roping equipment,FLIR, and theyare used for huling artillery pieces etc and in the tender for the purchase of them it stated that Agusta would build them with the provision to carry external armanents also, though none has been fitted yet, and that is only the basic civilian model, so imagine how much more capable the 149 would be.The hope here is buy a batch of 149’s for deplloyment abroad.

http://www.worldairpics.com/photo/1018038/M/Agusta-Westland-AW139/274/Irish-Air-Corps/?&sid=2982133668&sp=80

http://www.worldairpics.com/photo/1024644/M/Agusta-Westland-AW139/275/Irish-Air-Corps/?&sid=2982133668&sp=21

Merlin is the best option, as it is already in service.They could still award a contract for the Seaking’s to keep them operational for a while longer instead of the bigger package for the Puma’s.

If you did it right, you could make alot of money during the Airshow season, by even setting up a stall at a local town near X airshow or if you could happen to get permission to sell at an event or even hand out fliers, to people with a weblink and you just print and frame what they order.

I somehow doubt that Israeli pilots, with helmet sights, and Python Vs, will be embarrassed by Mig 29s.

You can have your doubts my friend.The Indian Fulcrums also have HMS and AA-11’s which i believe are handy in a tight spot, and thats according to dutch personnel i think, who flew against luftwaffe fulcrums back in 02-03, could be wrong on the year, i can try and dig up the article if you wish?Also i know the Python, is lethal, but it depends also who gets into a firing position first.Do not underestimate the Fulcrum because of how it has faired in engagements with Western fighters before, while at the hands of inexperienced and lets say not first class Air Forces.It seems to branded with a crap stamp.

In the most recent edition of airforcesmonthly, there is an interview with ACM of the SLAF and he says the Kfirs’s and F-7’s are getting old and that the MiG-29 would be a good choice for the future and also that the MiG-27’s would be retired shortly more or likely as they were mainly used for carpet bombing missions of tamil tiger infested areas but that threat of large pockets is gone.So they are still in love with idea of buying Fulcrums!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8055088.stm

Speed is not that important, newer engines are more fuel efficent, have newer parts more reliable parts through lessons learnt from older models, which means more time between engine overhauls and also less spare parts to keep in your inventory, so it save money all around and also means your fighter can fly further on the same amount of fuel as the older engines.

Well if the Admiral said it, joking or not, it was on his mind and they dont want carriers just to steam around their own coasts.By the time China has any real carrier fully operational, India should have 3-4carriers in their arsenal.