23 August 2016, 07:23 GMT
New Delhi (Sputnik) — India expedited its probe into the defense deal signed in 2008 with Embraer, the world's third-largest aircraft maker. Government sources told Sputnik that India has once again talked to Embraer officials on Monday following a letter sent to the Brazilian company on Saturday evening. India asked Embraer to reply in next 15 days whether the company employed middleman to secure an Indian government defense contract.
The alleged bribe was paid for securing a contract for supplying three EMB 145 aircraft to the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization in 2008. These planes were to be equipped with indigenously-built Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radars. Embraer delivered the last plane in 2013.
The issue of bribery appeared when a Brazilian newspaper revealed that the United States justice department had launched probe against Embraer regarding a contract between the Brazilian firm and the Dominican Republic. The investigation was later expanded to business dealings with eight other countries including India. According to the Indian Defence Procurement Policy, employing middlemen for securing any defense contract is illegal.
