USA’s Sikorsky complains of irregularities in Albanian military helicopter tender

TIRANA, Feb 10ؓikorsky International Operations of the USA has cited irregularities in a 78.6-million-euro tender for the purchase of five military helicopters by the Albanian defense ministry.
The company lodged the formal complaint with the ministry and state procurement departments.
The tender in October was won by Eurocopter of Germany and France, a division of Airbus parent company EADS.
Under its agreement with the defence ministry, Eurocopter will deliver five AS 532 AL Cougar transport helicopters over the next 3-4 years.
Albania, which joined NATO in April, is engaged in a major military overhaul to come in line with alliance standards, replacing its antiquated Russian and Chinese-made tanks, aircraft and naval ships. It also plans to convert its conscript army into a fully professional force this year.
This is the first order of 5 helicopter in the year 2012 another order will be placed for the another fifteen AS 532