By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI — While no decision has been made to blacklist Italian helicopter maker AgustaWestland over alleged bribery charges, sources within the Indian Defence Ministry say officers there believe neither the firm nor parent company Finmeccanica should be banned from doing business in India because it could jeopardize several ongoing weapon programs.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony told Parliament on April 29 that AgustaWestland will remain in competition for two programs despite the ongoing probe involving the sale of 12 helicopters to India in 2010. Antony argued that since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe was set up after the tenders had been submitted, AgustaWestland can still compete.
The two ongoing competitions are for 56 utility helicopters for the Navy and 14 twin-engine helicopters for the Coast Guard, Antony told Parliament.
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