Finmeccanica settles with Italy prosecutors to end Indian chopper deal probe

Indian govt had cancelled the chopper deal after allegations of corruption emerged

Italy's Finmeccanica said on Tuesday it had reached a agreement with prosecutors to settle legal proceedings over a high profile helicopter contract between one of its units and India, adding this did not equal an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing.

India cancelled the 560 million euro ($750.85 million) order with Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland for 12 top-end helicopters in January, citing a breach of integrity relating to alleged corruption.

Finmeccanica said prosecutors had discontinued investigations into the contract and AgustaWestland would apply to the court for a negligible fine.

It added: "This decision is not in any way an admission of any wrongdoing or liability".

It said the decision was taken "in light of the reorganisation underway within the Finmeccanica Group, to refocus energies on business and market opportunities globally."

($1 = 0.7458 Euros)