A Kuwaiti investigation committee revealed on Monday the involvement of ministers, officials and army leaders in the squandering of public money related to two French aircraft deals valued at 349 million euros.
The Kuwaiti National Assembly’s website quoted the head of the investigation committee into the Caracal and Eurofighter aircraft deals, Adel Al-Damkhi, as saying that ministers, deputy ministers, and leaders in the army were found responsible for shortcomings in following up on the work of employees and uncovering their negligence of their duties, causing harm to the ministry and public funds.
Al-Damkhi added that the committee’s investigations revealed that the French company had violated its contractual obligations, by delivering two non-compliant engines, which is considered “a serious violation of the terms of the agreement,” pointing to numerous and recurring defects that were found in other aircraft.
According to the committee, the French company concealed essential information, which resulted in serious damage to the ministry and public money and threatened the lives of pilots.
Al-Damkhi stressed the need to hold the company accountable for its actions.
He said the committee found that despite the ministry’s delay in activating the terms of the contract and the resulting squandering of public funds, the ministry still retains sums of money related to this contract, including the first installment of the contract, the completion guarantee, the final payment, and other sums that are estimated at more than 400 million euros, which must be disbursed without delay.
