French foreign minister admits military helicopter deal off, Eurocopter will re-bid

New Delhi: Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister of France, has admitted that a deal for EADS unit Eurocopter to supply 197 helicopters to the Indian Army had been officially cancelled.

Bernard Kouchner said he was "not satisfied" about the $600 million deal being nullified, but asserted that Eurocopter would re-bid once India floats fresh global tenders.

The Indian defence ministry had announced early on in the month (Dec 6) that Eurocopter's successful tender for the helicopters had been scrapped, but uncertainty prevailed with Eurocopter and the French embassy here contesting the validity of that announcement.

Media reports appearing locally have alleged that their was the likely presence of a middleman in the deal, which goes against rules governing defence contracts in the country.

Eurocopter, part of aerospace giant European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), was also accused of presenting a civilian helicopter instead of a military version for statutory field trials by the Indian army.

"I am not satisfied, but we have been told by the Indian government that the bidding process has to be launched again because of procedural details," Kouchner told reporters. "Yes, we can complain but it is useless to complain ... So we have to participate in the new bidding process," Kouchner said.