Investigations into allegations of corruption have long been a burden on Airbus. An Austrian magazine is now reporting that a lot of money should have flowed in the Alpine Republic when buying Eurofighters.
Vienna (dpa) - The aircraft manufacturer Airbus has admitted, according to an Austrian media report, to have made "political donations" in the context of the Eurofighter business with the Alpine Republic.
As the magazine "profil" reported on Saturday, this emerges from the agreement that Airbus concluded with authorities in France, Great Britain and the USA after allegations of corruption at the end of January. Airbus has committed to pay a penalty of 3.6 billion euros.
According to "profil", which, according to its own information, there are court documents from the USA, the aviation group or "its sellers" "paid, offered or accepted" around 55 million euros in political benefits, fees or commissions for the Eurofighter sale to Austria. , In total, Airbus made payments to 14 individuals, consultants, or organizations that should have been reported, the profil said in the court documents.
For legal reasons, Airbus did not comment on cases included in the agreements published by French, British and US authorities, a company spokesman said. The Eurofighter investigation is unrelated to the authorities' investigation. It is a separate, older matter in which investigations had already ended in 2018, the spokesman said.
Austria decided in 2003 to buy 18 Eurofighters, later it was slimmed down to 15 jets. The purchase is still the largest armaments business in post-war history in Austria. The Alpine Republic later complained that it had been deceived about the interceptors' equipment and ability to deliver. In addition, allegations of corruption soon arose. In Austria, three parliamentary committees of inquiry have dealt with the arms business.
Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) demanded reparation from the aircraft manufacturer on Saturday, according to the APA news agency. Wolfgang Peschorn, President of the Procurator of Finance and, as it were, the lawyer of the Republic, expects Airbus to be charged in Austria as well. "We have been pursuing the legitimate claims of the Republic of Austria against Airbus for years with all the means of the rule of law. Airbus' admission should now bring charges to Austria," Peschorn told APA.
"Profil" report