India To Probe Helo Contract With Italy

New Delhi: India’s agreement to purchase 12 helicopters from Italy is likely to be investigated in India after reports from Rome suggested irregularities in the contract. The Italian defense firm, however, has denied the allegations.
Reports in Italian daily newspaper la Repubblica suggest prosecutors have started checking into allegations of corruption against state-backed major defense contractor Finmeccanica’s dealings, including the 35.46 billion rupee ($720 million) contract with India.
Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony, concerned over the reports, has ordered an inquiry into whether corruption was involved in the procurement of the helicopters from Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland, a senior defense ministry official said over the weekend.
India signed the contract with AgustaWestland in February 2010 to buy 12 AW101 helicopters, mainly to be used by the president, prime minister and other top government functionaries. The AW101 was selected over Sikorsky’s S-92 Super Hawk.
Finmeccanica on Feb. 27 declared that “AgustaWestland is not involved in any irregularity concerning the supply of helicopters in India.
29/02/12 Jay Menon/Aviation Week

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2012, ndian Aviation- In General Feb 2012