The emergence of VVIP chopper deal has all the ingredients of a scandal much bigger than the Bofors of the mid-1980s. The murky deal has an array of politicians, bureaucrats and top military officers as the beneficiaries of the multi-billion bribe which exchanged hands. The Bofors however proved its metal during the 1999 Kargil conflict even though technology transfer envisaged in the original contract got derailed due to the scandal. Bofors kept country busy for a long time and Parliament debating pros and cons of the deal. The heat generated during all these period ultimately led to the fall of Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989 general elections. Both scandals have foreign origin-one in Sweden and the other in Italy again involving Congress leaders and their family members. From Bofors to Barak missile, HDW submarines from Germany to AugustaWestland helicopter defence scandals in India continue to shadow the modernisation of armed forces. Since the outbreak of Bofors army is yet to induct its 155 mm artillery guns. Most of its indigenous projects like main battle tank, light combat aircraft and many others have run into delay causing cost overrun and some of them have failed even at the conceiving stage and could not cross the preliminary test stage. All these speak about the heavy involvement of politicians and bureaucracy keeps these alive to fill their coffers. The chopper deal surfaced after the arrest of Italian prosecutors Finmecanica CEO and AugustaWestland chief in February 2013. This time Italian connection has emerged strongly and has wrapped Congress leaders once again. The contract was cancelled in 2014 by then Defence Minister A.K Antony after the controversy grew into a political storm and the
magnitude of money exchanged hands. Investigations are on and the final revelations may have dangerous
ramifications on the defence preparedness of India.
