New Delhi: Dassault Aviation flew back into the race after being ejected initially for technical non-compliance.
Deal to acquire 12 helicopters from AgustaWesland for VVIP use has gone sour due to allegations of kickbacks paid to alter tender requirements in its favor.
AgustaWestland was not in the race initially but went on to win the contract apparently, due to the modifications.
'Choppergate', as this scandal is popularly called now threatens to engulf Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) - the $15 billion tender to acquire 126 fighters for the Indian Air Force.
As it turns out, Choppergate has an uncanny similarity to MMRCA.Dassault Aviation, the French Company who's Rafale has been selected by the Ministry of Defense as the preferred bidder was ousted from the contract in the beginning but then made a dramatic re-entry to emerge at the top.
03/03/13 Huma Siddiqui/Financial Express
