Think Tank: Augusta Westland Italian helicopters for (India's) VVIPs

AW-101 Merlin (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

As per a report in the NDTV, Rs. 4,000-crore deal for AW-101 Augusta Wwestland helicopters has now  been cleared by the Ministry of Defence and 12 VVIP helicopters made in Italy for the President, Prime Minister and other important dignitaries will be delivered to India in January. The contract was held up for allegations of bribery by the parent Finmeccanica An internal enquiry and  report from the Indian Embassy in Rome has cleared the company of any wrongdoing. It appears that the allegations of change of specifications were not justified as the ceiling was changed from 18,000 to 13,500 feet duly approved by a process which had been made in the presence of then Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra. An "integrity clause" - which prohibits the manufacturer from paying commission or using middlemen - had been built into the contract. This will allow India to take action against the company if allegations of wrongdoing are proved at any time.  

With the Indian government clearing the acquisition for the 12 Augusta Westland VVIP helicopters this deal that has been hanging fire for some time should now be going through and the choppers should soon land on the Indian soil. The current deal is said to be clean and was not linked to another one of Light Helicopters wherein the company was asked for a bribe by an Indian officer. In that case Augusta Westland was not finally shortlisted. The somewhat speedy clearance that was given in this case may have been due to the deal being made in the times of the previous BJP government thus the Defence Minister was reasonably assured that the BJP now in opposition is not likely to make this into a political issue. However given the contours of the Indian defence acquisition process which is marred by controversies it is likely that more allegations will be raised in the days ahead but for once the Defence Minister Mr Antony has taken a firm and quick decision.

This Article first appeared on Security Risks and is reposted here under a Creative Commons license.