Controversial MiG-29 contract blocked by the Bangladesh High Court and with recommendation it be voided

Published: 10/4/1999

The Bangladesh government has been ordered by the High Court to stop all payments to Russia for MiG-29s under a contract reported to be worth $124m. According to the High Court, the deal “contradicts the Constitution and established norms of business, as it was concluded without the Parliament”. It recommended that the government “declare the transaction null and void”. The verdict upholds a claim made by the National Party of Bangladesh, that the deal was too expensive and not in the country's interests. VPK MAPO denied any knowledge of the decision. It stated that: "The signed contract is being fulfilled, and there are no changes in the schedule. The contract was signed with the MoD of Bangladesh, and we have not received from our counterpart any notifications on the suspension of the deal." The Bangladesh government has thirty days in which to lodge an appeal.

Article ID: 930