This is first scam to taint air force, says former air chief PV Naik

When India agreed to buy 12 helicopters from Agusta Westland in 2010, the air force was headed by PV Naik. He told NDTV today that there should be no delay in inducting these helicopters into the Indian Air Force. In an interview to NDTV's Defence Editor Nitin Gokhale, Air Chief Marshall Naik said: The IAF really needs it (the choppers). The deal should not be delayed, according to me." The former air chief who retired in August 2011, further said: "The air force is responsible for performance evaluation for aircraft. After the deal is cleared, the air force has no role really. The deal is passed by the defence ministry." He welcomed the CBI probe sanctioned yesterday for the deal and pointed out that the Air Force has never been linked to a scam before this. "I think all the IAF deals are very transparent. All procurement is signed through ministry of defence, finance etc.," he pointed out.