Leonardo returns to India after ban lifted
The Black Shark heavyweight torpedo from Leonardo is currently fielded by six navies, but perhaps India might one day join them now that a ban has been lifted. (Gordon Arthur)
Leonardo has been banned from India’s military market since 2014, but this embargo has now been eased.
There is a sense of relief for the Indian military as India lifted its ban on Leonardo, although with limitations, almost a decade after it was blacklisted following alleged bribes relating to a deal for 12 AW101 helicopters.
The decision followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on 29 October.
Leonardo refused to comment on the end of the blacklisting.
However, Cdre (Ret) Sujeet Samaddar, Founder of the Society for Aerospace Maritime and Defence Studies, told Shephard the news was ‘very good news’.
‘We cannot keep banning
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