Cites Allegations Of Kickbacks In AW101 Sale

AgustaWestland may find itself frozen out of the Indian helicopter market if a measure to blacklist the company passes that country's parliament.

The move is under consideration in the wake of allegations of kickbacks given to the company associated with a $733 million deal dating back four years for a dozen AW101 VIP helicopters. That contract has been canceled, and the Indian Defense Ministry has already begun the blacklisting process, according to a report from United Press International.

The proposal is being scrubbed by the Defense Ministry's legal counsel, and will also have to pass muster with the Central Bureau of Investigation before the company could be formally blacklisted. The Times of India said that the process could take several weeks.

A Defense Ministry official said that the move is mandated by Indian law, and that the county has "no option but to proceed" with the move.

If it is approved, AgustaWestland could be barred from bidding on government contracts in India for 10 years, but the ban would not affect other Finmeccanica companies.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://parliamentofindia.nic.in