DAC To Take Up 197 Copter Deal: Minister

Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Parliament today: “The proposal for acquisition of 197 Light Utility Helicopters is due for consideration of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The procurement procedure has been conducted in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure. No formal enquiry has been instituted in the case of procurement of the 197 Light Utility Helicopters.”

197 Copter Deal Needs To Be Examined: IAF Chief

The Minister also spoke today on the prospective  blacklisting of Finmeccanica or AgustaWestland: Here’s what he said:
On the report of the arrests of the Finmeccanica Chief and Chief Executive of Agusta Westland Spa in connection with the investigations in Italy regarding alleged wrong doing and unethical conduct by M/s Finmeccanica, parent company of M/s Agusta Westland, U.K., the CBI was asked on February 12, 2013 to conduct an enquiry into the matter. Further details will be available on receipt of report of CBI. A Show Cause Notice has been sent to M/s Agusta Westland, U.K. on 15th February, 2013 asking them to explain as to why steps should not be initiated for cancellation of the Contract. The operation of the Contract has been put on hold and further payments to M/s Agusta Westland, U.K. stopped. No decision to blacklist the Company has so far been taken.”

He also said:

Following reports of the arrest of the Chief Executive of Finmeccanica in connection with the investigations in Italy regarding alleged wrong doing and unethical conduct by M/s Finmeccanica, parent company of M/s Agusta Westland, U.K., the CBI was asked on February 12, 2013 to conduct an enquiry into the matter. The CBI has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) on February 25, 2013 in this matter. While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had received a letter dated 14th December, 2012 from Shri Prakash Javadekar, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) on the subject matter, media reports relating to alleged payment of kickbacks/bribes by M/s Finmeccanica started surfacing since February 2012. Ever since then, MoD has pursued the matter with the Embassy in Rome to get credible information regarding the status of investigation and authenticity of the documents/records being cited in various media reports. Given the independence of the Italian Judiciary from the executive and the preliminary investigations being covered by ‘Secrecy’ clause under the Italian law, no concrete information was received. The matter was also taken up, through the MEA with the U.K. Government in view of the alleged involvement of a British consultant and the fact that the contract had been signed with M/s Agusta Westland, U.K. The UK side informed MEA that they have not launched any investigation and are awaiting the results of the Italian investigation in order to ascertain whether any further action needs to be taken. MoD had, thus, taken prompt action to seek factual information from the concerned Authorities.”

10 thoughts on “DAC To Take Up 197 Copter Deal: Minister”

  1. Why all this tamasha? Wastes a lot of time. Its common knowledge that the deal has already been "fixed" in favor of Eurocopter Fennec. They are just using the Russian bid as a sham to avoid single vendor situation. Our defence forced are smitten by shiny western toys (and their assorted kickbacks). All good until the next war and western arms embargo!

  2. dont talk nonsense ….whatever relaceent comes …is a neccesity….you should be sent to siachen posts nd hen you'll realise the true need of the imdt requirement of replacing the ageing cheetah chetak fleet…i also wish someone was flying from your family too…then only ou'll be concerned……

  3. The government has bungled all its way. History repeats itself. There is no concern for indias security but only how to save the scum party. Their indecision in every sphere is costing the country.

  4. ok, ignoring the evidence-lite motivations to cancel the EH-101 deal… what is with this talk of blacklisting AgustaWestland? wasn't it JUST ANNOUNCED that vendors will no longer be blacklisted? what changed there?

  5. To end all these nonsence, we have to boost up our indigenous cabability . But there is urgent need, so we can acquire our ALH Mk-3 chopper…..

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