India helicopter deal with Italy firm 'may be cancelled'

[mhm]

India's defence minister has said he would "cancel the deal" with Italian aerospace and defence firm Finmeccanica if there was any corruption in the purchase of helicopters from the firm.

AK Antony said the government would blacklist and take legal action against any company found to have paid a bribe.

India ordered an inquiry into the $752m (£481m) 12-helicopter deal after the firm's chief Giuseppe Orsi was arrested in Milan on Tuesday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21438275

[viking9]

Backhanders in aircraft deals! Who would have thought it? 

[viking9]

It has brought back memories of the Westland 30 helicopter in the mid 80's. In order to keep jobs safe at Westland, Britain offered to supply  21 of the type to India for oil exploration duties and to contribute £65M towards the cost. India (surprise, surprise) wanted the money without taking the helicopters! Eventually the aircraft were supplied but later proved unsuitable for conditions in India and were returned to the UK.

I keep reading about how prosperous India is now. I wonder when we can expect them to start giving us handouts!