[2] In a June 2011 interview, given shortly after his promotion to CEO, Spagnolini said that AgustaWestland had “always pursued a three-legged strategy based on an evolving product range, enlarging its network of service and training facilities as well as establishing strategic partnerships around the world to pursue market opportunities.” He said that development of the AW169 was “progressing as planned” and that “the rotors, blades, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems” all incorporated new technologies.
He said that the firm was developing “navigation systems for preferred flightpaths and all-weather capabilities, advanced open architecture, common cockpit technology to be shared among present and future models, and unique collision avoidance and warning systems,” as well as “new rotor and blade technology.” He also described Russia and India as “two of the most promising markets for the future with incredible business opportunities that can be fully exploited through new industrial partnerships with prime local players of mutual benefit, well beyond the usual commercial and services solutions offered.”[3] Spagnolini unveiled a restored version of the Westland Lynx helicopter, the official holder of the helicopter World Speed Record, at the firm's Yeovil factory in July 2011.
[7] A July 9, 2012, Flightglobal report stated that AgustaWestland was “introducing a modular family concept for its helicopter line-up, representing a change in mindset, which chief executive Bruno Spagnolini says must be implemented to ensure the future success of the Italian manufacturer.” Spagnolini explained that this new concept was “evidence of our product strategy and investments made in new technology,” and said that AgustaWestland was the first rotorcraft manufacturer to introduce “a real family of next generation commercial helicopters.” Calling the AW139 “a driver for our expansion in the market,” he said that the firm had “benefitted from lessons learned on this model to develop the AW169 and AW189, so establishing the advantage of common design philosophy across a range of platforms.” Spagnoligni maintained that “the AgustaWestland product family is setting a new standard in helicopter fleet management” and would thus help the firm “meet the diversified and evolving requirements of the global commercial market.” He further noted that AgustaWestland was “continuing to play a leading role in new and revolutionary technologies such as the AW609,” and that in the military sector it was “continuing to develop the AW149 8t helicopter, as well as offering militarised versions of the commercial AW139 and incoming AW169.” He discussed the ongoing differentiation of operations at the firm's Yeovil plant in Britain, which would allow it “to respond to the changing balance between reduced defence spending and growth potential for commercial and parapublic applications in UK.” Also, he indicated that the firm was strengthening its “industrial presence in fast growing markets which show huge potential: Russia, China and India.”[3] A report on January 22, 2013, stated that AgustaWestland had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian firm Embraer that, if it led to a final agreement, would provide for the establishment of “an assembly line in Brazil building helicopters for both the domestic and wider Latin American markets.” Spagnolini expressed pleasure at this sign of Italy establishing “an industrial presence” in Brazil.
[9] The arrest warrant for Spagnolini and Orsi said they “presided over a system of bribery and corruption that was part of the company philosophy,”[10] allegedly paying tens of millions of euros to Indian officials through intermediaries and falsifying invoices in order to win the high-profile contract.
[12] In June, defense lawyers Ennio Amodio and Massimo Bassi argued at the trial that India should not be admitted as a civil party and that the Public Prosecutor's proposal to skip lengthy preliminary arguments was illegitimate and unconstitutional.
The defense was “expected to argue that Orsi and Spagnolini did nothing outside the normal scope of accepted business practices in India in winning the contract.” A report noted that “AgustaWestland could be blacklisted by the Indian government under terms of its new and strict anti-corruption laws if Orsi and Spagnolini are convicted” and that India had “begun its own inquiry into the matter.”[2] This practically ended the so called "VVIP Chopper Deal" forever.
[13] A Reuters report on June 12, 2014, stated that the verdict in the trial of Spagnolini and Orsi “could be crucial for Finmeccanica's efforts to restore its reputation at a time when the group is restructuring its business and fighting for contracts in emerging countries.”[14] It was reported on July 29, 2014, that as Spagnolini and Orsi awaited sentencing, perhaps in October, for the helicopter deal, an Italian magistrate had halted a separate investigation into the alleged payment of kickbacks to secure the helicopter sale, while accepting a “negligible fine” as part of a settlement.