Cheers, Silver
You are right, the French have used Alouettes with NVG and FLIR, but in modern terms, the conditions for NVG use are fairly strict. I don't think any operator could justify not having the lighting compatible. I've heard that for some operators, even one bulb non compatible writes off the whole aircraft for NVG use. A refit would be expensive, so any new aircraft should have it written into the contract. There has been some talk of getting the last serviceable Gazelle set up for NVG training, but the will would have to be there first to get training overseas, like in Canada or with the yanks, before that approach would be taken.
As for what aircraft would be suitable, are we still talking about the Air Corps running the service? Because if so, the type is irrelevant, it's always going to be a compromise between troop carrying capacity and weight. Anything over 4 tonnes is too big, but there is very little under four tonnes that will fill the army roles required. My best bet would be the EC 145. Light, compact and lots of flexibility in what you can put in the back (in addition to NVG compatible, single/twin pilot IFR yahdeyah!) A civil operator can provide a better service because the equipment is very specialised and doesn't necessarily have to be removable, so a smaller heli such as the 135 will do. At the very least, I would like to see an aircraft that can carry two stretchers, because RTA's rarely involve single casualties. That rules out all current Air Corps types. And before you scream S 61, putting that thing down on a road would be a little tough, not to mention the mass casualties it could cause!