0ver 30 people indicted in military procurement scandal
2015/10/08 14:16:43
CM32 'Clouded Leopard armored infantry combat vehicles. (CNA file photo)
Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) More than 30 people were indicted Thursday in Taichung on charges of graft and forgery in connection with the military's procurement of components for the locally developed CM32 "Clouded Leopard" armored infantry combat vehicles.
Among the people indicted were the executives of three companies, including Chung Hsin Electric & Machinery Manufacturing Corp., that allegedly were involved in a conspiracy to gain a contract for the supply of chassis and power systems for the military vehicles at a bid price of NT$4.8 billion, well below the stated minimum of NT$7.8 billion.
The companies then allegedly supplied the military with refurbished products and bribed military officers to have the products pass inspection. They are also accused of using Chinese-made components in violation of the contract.
Since mass production of the armored vehicles began in 2012, there have been frequent problems with their power systems, which raised suspicions of substandard components.
(By Chao Li-yen and Y.F. Low)
