No Sign of Wrongdoing in AgustaWestland: Former Defence Secretary

Former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh has called overseas trails of the AgustaWestland deal a routine matter.

The AgustaWestland deal has caused an uproar in Parliament with both BJP and Congress trading accusations on the VVIP chopper deal. (Photo: The Quint)

Former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh has said that all requisite rules were followed in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper contract and that the AgustaWestland AW-101 helicopter was a proven platform that was suitable to the Air Force’s requirements, reports the Hindustan Times.

“There was no question of any pressure (to award the deal). It was above board and cleared purely on merit,” said Singh, who served as defence secretary during 2007-09 and was one of the key decision-makers who authorised the chopper trials to be held in the UK.

Singh said that the agreement to include overseas trials as part of the deal was a routine matter. This has been extensively criticised by the BJP-led government in Parliament. He added that the procurement of VVIP choppers was done on the basis of specific recommendations by the Indian Air Force.