Kuwait probes alleged graft in French helicopter deal

Kuwait yesterday ordered an investigation into a €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) military deal with the French aircraft maker Airbus to supply the Gulf state with 30 military helicopters, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

The announcement comes as Airbus faces several international investigations into commercial and military sales that have raised questions over the future of senior managers.

The agency quoted the Kuwaiti Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Anas Al-Saleh, as saying that the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, had ordered the deal to be investigated.

“It was decided to transfer the case of the Caracal helicopter deal to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate it and to take all the measures regarding it,” Saleh said.

The Audit Bureau had been asked to check all documents related to the deal and submit its findings to the cabinet “as soon as possible”, he noted.

In August 2016, Kuwait signed a €1.071 billion ($1.26 billion) deal with Airbus to buy 30 military helicopters for its air force.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai cited a French magazine which reported that a middleman had demanded 30 per cent commission if the deal was made.

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