2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal
2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal
The 2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal, also known as the AgustaWestland scandal, refers to a significant corruption case involving the Indian government’s procurement of 12 AW101 helicopters for VIP transport. Allegations surfaced that senior officials and politicians received substantial kickbacks from AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the Italian company Finmeccanica, to secure the contract valued at approximately â¹3,600 crore (around $600 million). The scandal led to widespread investigations by Indian authorities, with notable figures, including former Air Force Chief S.P. Tyagi, facing scrutiny and charges. The case underscored systemic issues of corruption in defense procurement processes in India and strained diplomatic ties with Italy.