Exclusive! Defence sources slam auditor's report on AW101 deal
21 August 2013 - 10:14 by Neelam Mathews in New Delhi Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources have criticised the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG ), claiming the auditor’s report into the controversial AW101 VVIP helicopter deal failed to comprehend basic facts. The CAG presented its report to the Indian Parliament on August 13, highlighting the government’s failure to follow procedures in awarding the contract to AgustaWestland for 12 AW101s in 2010. The deal is also under scrutiny in Italian courts due to alleged bribes paid to officials in India. The bid for VVIP helicopters was first released in 2002 for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to replace its aging Mi-8 helicopters. After the EC225 emerged as the only candidate, the contract was rebid in 2006. The CAG report claimed the subsequent process saw laxity in decision making and a number of discrepancies. ‘From the framin...