Speeding it up for Sarkozy

The cancellation of the $600 million deal for 197 choppers a month ahead of French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit caused a bit of flutter in Delhi and Paris. Eurocopter was the sole qualifier for that deal. But having braved the diplomatic storm, India is trying to speed up the re-tendering process. In fact, two weeks ahead of Sarkozy’s arrival, the Defence Ministry held a meeting with respective bidders and urged them to submit their proposals in lesser time than the three months stipulated in the procurement process. Eurocopter says it can bring in its chopper “tomorrow” for trials. The question is, will the Americans and Russians play along?