Too Big To Break Again: India, Italy, and the Defense Partnership That Almost Wasn’t

AI Summary

The defense partnership between India and Italy was nearly ruined due to a bribery scandal linked to the AgustaWestland helicopter contract in 2014. This event had broader military consequences, affecting supplies and upgrades in the Indian Navy, highlighting Italy's significant but discreet role in India's defense sector.

A single bribe nearly ruined a defense partnership most people didn’t know even existed. It took India and Italy almost a decade to recover.The story of how that rupture happened — and what it exposed about Italy’s quiet but deep role in India’s military — is essential to understanding why both countries now treat their renewed ties as something too valuable to lose again.When Indian authorities cancelled the AgustaWestland helicopter contract in 2014, the fallout went far beyond the headlines. Torpedo supplies to the Indian Navy’s Scorpène-class submarines froze, upgrades to over 20 Sea King helicopters stalled, and a naval The post Too Big To Break Again: India, Italy, and the Defense Partnership That Almost Wasn’t appeared first on War on the Rocks.