‘VVIP helicopter specs changed by then Def Min’
2 Nov 2012 5:36 AM IST
Only the defence minister in 2006 could have changed the air staff qualitative requirement (ASQR) of the 12 VVIP helicopters, after it was found that the Agusta Westland AW101 VVIP was not matching the parametres of the Indian Air Force.
A senior armed forces’ source pointed the fact out, while stating that ‘of course, the minister would have been guided by the proposals of the IAF and his own ministry.’ Air Chief Marshal (Retd) SP Tyagi said for the umpteenth time during the day, ‘As much as I cannot change the fact that SK Tyagi is my first cousin, I can surely tell you that the ASQR could not have been changed by the IAF in 2006 when I was the chief. It could only be changed by the ministry (of defence). The South Block headquarters of the ministry was agog on Thursday as more revelations were made by the media about the accusations that the chopper deal was brokered by middlemen in Italy – where the company was located – and in India. And they had received hefty kickbacks from the deal.
Rumours floated thick and fast. The name of the former chief of the air force being linked to one of the suspected middlemen in India made, gave rise to enormous speculations. Though, the IAF officially showed remarkable sangfroid while dealing with the questions. Tyagi was made the air force chief in December, 2004, and continued to serve till April, 2007, after being made the chairman, chiefs of staff committee in late 2006.
With the ball now being firmly lobbed back to the ministry, the current Defence Minister, AK Antony will be sorely tested about what to do with the case. Considering that only his predecessor could have tweaked the ASQR in making it to match the choppers’ specifications, he would now have to take a call on whether to rescind the deal or continue with it till 2013 when the deliveries of the chopper begins.
A senior armed forces’ source pointed the fact out, while stating that ‘of course, the minister would have been guided by the proposals of the IAF and his own ministry.’ Air Chief Marshal (Retd) SP Tyagi said for the umpteenth time during the day, ‘As much as I cannot change the fact that SK Tyagi is my first cousin, I can surely tell you that the ASQR could not have been changed by the IAF in 2006 when I was the chief. It could only be changed by the ministry (of defence). The South Block headquarters of the ministry was agog on Thursday as more revelations were made by the media about the accusations that the chopper deal was brokered by middlemen in Italy – where the company was located – and in India. And they had received hefty kickbacks from the deal.
Rumours floated thick and fast. The name of the former chief of the air force being linked to one of the suspected middlemen in India made, gave rise to enormous speculations. Though, the IAF officially showed remarkable sangfroid while dealing with the questions. Tyagi was made the air force chief in December, 2004, and continued to serve till April, 2007, after being made the chairman, chiefs of staff committee in late 2006.
With the ball now being firmly lobbed back to the ministry, the current Defence Minister, AK Antony will be sorely tested about what to do with the case. Considering that only his predecessor could have tweaked the ASQR in making it to match the choppers’ specifications, he would now have to take a call on whether to rescind the deal or continue with it till 2013 when the deliveries of the chopper begins.
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