Breakdip, agree that an advanced AFCS and modern avionics are usuefull, especially in the maritime environment / posh hovering over water. However nothing that couldn’t be added to an existing proven airframe. To develop an entirely new helicopter at such huge costs to hover over the water and dip a can in is a tad over the top.
The perfect world would have as few types as possible to get comanality of parts, gain from economy of scale and have a simple training pipeline. As long as it hovers all the fancy avionics can come in subsequent upgrades as development and technology advances.
Im being naive ofcourse as these projects are self licking lollipops for governments protecting industry and jobs- Yeovil would’ve gone down the pan long ago if this wasn’t the case- it’s just a shame they turn out such poorly made helicopters.