NEW DELHI — The bribery scandal surrounding India’s purchase of AW101 VVIP helicopters from Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland seems to have cast a shadow on the purchase of Black Shark torpedoes for the Indian navy from Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), another company owned by the Italian defense conglomerate. Though the Indian government says the procurement has proceeded “in a transparent and fair manner,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony says, “The contract for procurement of Black Shark torpedoes has not yet been finalized.”

NEW DELHI — India says it will go ahead with its program to buy 197 Light Utility Helicopters for its defense forces, contrary to speculation that the AgustaWestland bribery scandal had forced the government to put the much-awaited deal on hold. “The proposal for acquisition of 197 Light Utility Helicopters is due for consideration of the Defense Acquisition Council [DAC]. The procurement procedure has been conducted in accordance with the Defense Procurement Procedure,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony says.

NEW DELHI — Delivery of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters from state-owned licensed manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to the Indian air force (IAF) is likely to be delayed due to development issues. HAL is currently undertaking the production of 222 Su-30 aircraft. HAL was supposed to start delivery of the all-weather air-dominance fighters to the country’s defense forces by 2015. But now this may not happen “as per schedule,” according to India’s junior defense minister, Jitendra Singh.