VIENNA (Reuters) - Austrian opposition parties setting up a parliamentary inquiry into the state's order for Eurofighter Typhoon jets 14 years ago have said they will seek to determine whether any kickbacks were paid to win the contract and to identify any officials who might have profited. The parliamentary inquiry formally announced on Friday by the Greens and far-right Freedom Party (FPO) comes just a week after Austrian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, based on a complaint by the defence ministry.
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium comprises BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain's industrial interests in the project.