Became known a manufacturer of weapons from the Russian Federation, embroiled in a scandal of corruption in the Greek Ministry of Defense
A large-scale corruption scandal in the Greek Ministry of Defense, whose officials were suspected of taking bribes when purchasing military equipment from several countries, is actively versed in the court, and some details about its Russian "defendants" have become known. The former deputy head of the armament department of the Greek military department, Antonis Kantas, at the trial called a number of foreign contractors, in concluding transactions with which officials were considered to be paid kickbacks. The local press, meanwhile, found out more about the Russian “branch” of this scandal.
The Greek press mentions two deals with Russian companies - with the Osa anti-aircraft missile systems and the Kornet anti-tank missiles - for, it is believed, a bribe of three million dollars. Rosoboronexport’s response to Vedomosti’s request states that “Wasps” were delivered to Greece at the end of 1990’s from the arsenals of the army of the former GDR, and Rosvooruzhenie, the predecessor of Rosoboronexport, had nothing to do with it.
As for Kornetov, the supply, said Rosoboronexport, was carried out by "one of the subjects of military-technical cooperation" in 2000-2002 years "in accordance with Russian legislation."
Vedomosti, with reference to the defense industry manager, noted that it was a contract worth tens of millions of dollars with the Tula KBP, which until the 2007 of the year had the right to trade without Rosoboronexport. Now the company is included in the holding of state corporation "Rostec", and its management, responsible for export, was replaced more than five years ago. According to a newspaper source close to the Rosoboronexport leadership, a criminal investigation in Russia is not expected in any case, since the statute of limitations on the article “giving a bribe” has passed.
The scandal broke out in December last year. The Greek media published a transcript of the interrogation of local entrepreneur Dimitris Papachrist, a former employee of the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), who called the prosecutor’s office the names of six German businessmen from three firms who bribed Greek officials or, at the very least, should have been informed corruption scam. It was about three major projects: the modernization of Poseidon class submarines, once purchased by Greece in Germany, the supply of Astrad air defense systems and self-propelled artillery systems PzH 2000.
According to Papahrist, he gave a bribe in the amount of 750 thousand euros to the former deputy head of the armament department of the Greek Defense Ministry Kantas. In exchange for this amount, he should not have interfered with the contract for the supply of the Greek army 24 systems PzH 2000. The former official, as reported, has already admitted accepting bribes totaling almost eight million euros, of which about 3,2 million euros came from Germany.
According to German press reports, Atlas Elektronik, Rheinmetall and KMW itself may be involved in a scam. There is also information that representatives of the Brazilian Embraer and the Swedish Saab have also handed over the kickbacks to the Greeks for the advancement of long-range radar detection aircraft. There is information about the possible involvement of companies from France, reported Frankfurter Rundschau.
Statement of Rosoboronexport OJSC
in connection with information about the alleged involvement of Russian companies in the corruption scandal over the supply of equipment and weapons to the Greek Ministry of Defense
in connection with information about the alleged involvement of Russian companies in the corruption scandal over the supply of equipment and weapons to the Greek Ministry of Defense
Rosoboronexport and the organizations on the basis of which the state special exporter was created, including the Rosvooruzhenie company, are not related to the Kornet-E anti-tank missile systems (ATGM) and air defense missile systems (ZRK) mentioned in the media. ". The Kornet-E ATGMs were supplied under a contract with one of the BTS subjects in 2000-2002. in accordance with Russian legislation, and the Osa air defense system was received by Greece as a result of Germany’s sale of the property of the National People’s Army of the GDR.
Rosoboronexport operates strictly within the framework of Russian and international legislation on the promotion of Russian equipment and weapons to international markets. This task is being successfully accomplished, including through representative offices operating in more than 50 countries around the world.
Rosoboronexport continues a systematic policy to strengthen military-technical cooperation with Greece, even in the context of the global financial and economic crisis. Due to the flexible approach, the Russian side managed to build a clear supply system for spare parts for previously supplied equipment, which ensures the necessary level of readiness of the Greek armed forces. This was vividly confirmed by the successful firing of the C-300 PMU-1 anti-aircraft missile system in December 2013.
Unfortunately, the successes of Rosoboronexport in the Greek market more than once became the reason for unfair competition. But the transparency of the activity, the quality of the services provided, the reliability and the willingness to meet partners in difficult situations have become the guarantee of high authority of the Russian state special exporter. That is why Rosoboronexport is confident in the successful development of mutually beneficial military-technical cooperation with Greece.
Rosoboronexport OJSC - the only state organization in Russia for the export of the entire range of products, services and technologies for military and dual use. Included in Rostec State Corporation. Rosoboronexport is one of the leaders in the global arms market. The company accounts for more than 80% of Russian armament and military equipment exports. Rosoboronexport cooperates with more than 700 enterprises and organizations of the military-industrial complex of Russia. The geography of military-technical cooperation of Russia is more than 70 countries.
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