New Delhi:
Air Force Chief NAK Browne today pointed out to the government that it needs to urgently make a decision on which helicopters will be used for VVIPs like the Prime Minister and President, given that a deal with British manufacturer AgustaWestland has been suspended after allegations that it was riddled with kickbacks.
The chief said that the Mi-17 helicopters used to carry VIPs will be phased out next year, and need to be replaced.
In February, India froze the purchase of 12 helicopters from AgustaWestland, which is owned by Italian defence manufacturer Finmeccanica, whose top executives are being investigated for paying bribes at home and abroad.
The Italian inquiry forced India to investigate the deal with Agusta for 12 helicopters for a cost of 3,600 crores, a deal that was signed in 2010.
AgustaWestland has denied any wrongdoing and has tried to prod the Indian government to pay for the three helicopters it has delivered so far.
The CBI alleges that former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi was among those who accepted bribes from Finmeccanica which used a maze of companies in counties like Mauritius to route payments to officers.
Air Chief Marshall Tyagi has rejected the allegations against him.