Army chopper deal scrapped, 40-yr-old Cheetahs continue

New Delhi: Amid allegations of US pressure, India has scrapped a mega defence deal for 197 Army helicopters.

The European Eurocopter was selected for a $600 million deal, after the rejection of the American Bell helicopter.

But then, the government announced on Thursday that a fresh tender would be issued.

This is the second time that this tender has been scrapped since 2001.

The Army has been clamouring for new helicopters to replace its 40-year-old fleet of Cheetahs, which operate at heights of up to 22,000 feet.

The government had stopped price negotiations with Eurocopter in July. This followed anonymous complaints that the Europeans had fielded a different helicopter in the trials, than the one offered for sale. Eurocopter denied the allegations.