New Delhi, June 30
The Indian Air Force’s pressing need for the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) suffered a setback with Defence Minister George Fernandes admitting today that the deal for the fighter planes would be delayed by at least two to three years following allegations of corruption.
The deal for acquisition of the AJTs, with the British Aerospace (BAE)’s ‘Hawk’ being seen as front-runner, has been thrown in uncertainty following reports in certain sections of the British media that the BAE had been paying bribes to prospective buyers, including India, to secure contracts.
“The entire process for the acquisitions of the AJTs will have to be gone over again by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and it will take at least two to three years,” the Defence Minister told newspersons here on the sidelines of a defence function, adding that their primary concern was to complete the deal “as soon as possible.”
The matter will probably come before the CCS sometime in the first week of July, as he was leaving on a visit to Brazil on Wednesday, he said. —
UNI
