Eurocopter Loses Another Big Military Sale

India scrapped a $600 million deal with Eurocopter for 197 AS 550 Fennec light helicopters. Last February, the Indian Army chose the AS 550 to replace its large fleet of Cheetah and Cheetak light helicopters, in preference to the Bell 407. But the selection process was controversial, and Eurocopter was accused of illegal use of agents to influence the deal. It denied any wrongdoing, but an Indian government commission concluded that there were irregularities. Negotiations on price and delivery have been ended by Delhi, and a new tender will be issued next year. At the recent Dubai Air Show, Eurocopter lost a major deal for multiple helicopter types in Saudi Arabia.