AgustaWestland denies wrongdoing in chopper deal

NEW DELHI: Facing the prospect of being blacklisted after the Defence Ministry scrapped its Rs 3600- crore deal for supply of VVIP helicopters, Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland today denied any wrongdoing saying it will "robustly defend" its reputation.

In a late evening statement, the firm said it has not yet received any communication from the Defence Ministry regarding cancellation of the deal.

"AgustaWestland has not received any communication from India's MoD in line with the reports today. The company is, therefore, unable to comment beyond reiterating the denial of allegations of wrongdoing and the continued intention to robustly defend the company's reputation," the statement said.

The Defence Ministry earlier today cancelled the deal for supplying 12 VVIP choppers to the Air Force.

The firm is taking part in several tenders of the Navy for supplying 16 multirole choppers and 56 light utility choppers.

The Ministry has so far blacklisted nine firms found indulging in corrupt practices to bag defence deals.