India puts off purchase of 197 helicopters over bribery claim

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India on Tuesday deferred a decision on a deal to buy 197 light-utility helicopters pending completion of an investigation into kickback allegations, the latest setback to efforts to upgrade the country's ageing arsenal.

A previous tender to buy 197 helicopters for the army for $550 million (363 million pounds) collapsed in 2007 after claims of irregularities in the field trials.