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No IAF helicopters for VVIPS after 2014 as chopper scam casts a shadow over procurement
After February 2014, VVIPs will not be able to fly in an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.
This is because there won't be a single copter left in the IAF's elite squadron, which ferries the Prime Minister, the President, senior ministers and other top dignitaries.
In the last week of March, the air force brass informed defence minister A.K. Antony about this scenario, which will emerge less than a year from now.
The IAF has landed in this situation because the investigation into the AgustaWestland (AW) scam has cast a shadow over acquisition of the VVIP copters. The currently-available Russian-made Mi-8s will complete even their extended lives by February 2014, and the IAF will have no replacement for them.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony was informed of the situation in the last week of March
Confirming the development, a senior IAF officer said: "We are supposed to keep the ministry of defence (MoD) apprised at all times and that is exactly what we did."
The IAF is hoping that this assessment will nudge the MoD to push for fast-tracking the investigation into the AgustaWestland deal. Both the MoD and the IAF have completed their internal inquiries to ascertain if there was any irregularity in the deal, and have reportedly found nothing.
However, the CBI, which filed a preliminary enquiry on February 25 and registered a case on March 13, is yet to complete its probe.
Now, an argument is being floated to de-link the acquisition of AW101 helicopters from the criminal probe. Under the contract, the AW101s were to arrive by mid-2013. The Mi-8s, which were purchased in 1971, have undergone multiple upgrades but can do no more.
"Ferrying VVIPs requires protocol and enhanced safety and comfort levels. AW is among the best helicopters, if not the best," said a source.
No IAF helicopters for VVIPS after 2014 as chopper scam casts a shadow over procurement | Mail Online
After February 2014, VVIPs will not be able to fly in an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.
This is because there won't be a single copter left in the IAF's elite squadron, which ferries the Prime Minister, the President, senior ministers and other top dignitaries.
In the last week of March, the air force brass informed defence minister A.K. Antony about this scenario, which will emerge less than a year from now.
The IAF has landed in this situation because the investigation into the AgustaWestland (AW) scam has cast a shadow over acquisition of the VVIP copters. The currently-available Russian-made Mi-8s will complete even their extended lives by February 2014, and the IAF will have no replacement for them.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony was informed of the situation in the last week of March
Confirming the development, a senior IAF officer said: "We are supposed to keep the ministry of defence (MoD) apprised at all times and that is exactly what we did."
The IAF is hoping that this assessment will nudge the MoD to push for fast-tracking the investigation into the AgustaWestland deal. Both the MoD and the IAF have completed their internal inquiries to ascertain if there was any irregularity in the deal, and have reportedly found nothing.
However, the CBI, which filed a preliminary enquiry on February 25 and registered a case on March 13, is yet to complete its probe.
Now, an argument is being floated to de-link the acquisition of AW101 helicopters from the criminal probe. Under the contract, the AW101s were to arrive by mid-2013. The Mi-8s, which were purchased in 1971, have undergone multiple upgrades but can do no more.
"Ferrying VVIPs requires protocol and enhanced safety and comfort levels. AW is among the best helicopters, if not the best," said a source.
No IAF helicopters for VVIPS after 2014 as chopper scam casts a shadow over procurement | Mail Online
