The Barak Missile Deal Scandal pertains to an ongoing investigation by Indian authorities of allegations of corruption in the purchase of Barak Missile Systems by India from Israel. The Barak missile system (jointly developed by IAI and RAFAEL) employs vertically launched missiles to counter anti-ship sea-skimming missiles and attacks by aircraft. On October 23, 2000, contracts had been signed by the Indian government to procure seven Barak systems at a total cost $199.50 millions and 200 missiles at a cost of $69.13 millions. This was done although doubts had been expressed by a previous government for the need of the defence system. Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... RAFAEL logo RAFAEL Armament Development Authority, known as RAFAEL or Rafael, (also spelled as Raphael or Rephael, and in Hebrew: רפאל - רשות לפיתוח אמצעי לחימה) is the Israeli authority for development of weapons and military technology. ... ...

In 2001 a sting operation conducted by tehelka.com, alleged that 15 defence deals made by the government had involved some sort of kickback and the Barak deal was one of them. The NDA government set up a commission to investigate the matter. The UPA government, currently in power, has rejected the part-report by the commission and the whole matter is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In law enforcement a sting operation is an operation designed to catch a person committing a crime, by means of deception. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... World map of the Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians. Blue colors indicate little corruption, red colors indicate much corruption In broad terms, political corruption is the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate... The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a coalition in India. ... United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is the present ruling coalition of political parties in India. ... The CBI emblem. ...

The CBI lodged an First Information Report (FIR) on October 9, 2006 and claims that George Fernandes the Indian defence minister at that time, and the Former Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Sushil Kumar were involved. The FIR notes that the Indian Defence Research & Development Organization had sought to block the import of the Barak system right until the end. It claims that of the total amount paid by the government, 3 per cent went to George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitley, Fernandes' colleague in the then existing Samata Party. A First Information Report or FIR is a written document prepared by the police in India when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. ... George Fernandes (born 3 June 1930) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. ... The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. ... The Samata Party is a political party in India. ...

Due to the scandal which emanated when the allegations first surfaced, George Fernandes had to resign his post as the defence minister, although he was later reinstated.

Sources

• http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2321/stories/20061103001804100.htm