Panamas high priced radar has arrived

The 19 radar installations  purchased by Panama in negotiations in a controversial pricing deal  are already in Panama says the National Naval Service director.

The units for the “war on drugs”  were delivered by  the Italian company Selex, part of the conglomerate Finmeccanica,under investigation the Italian authorities.

Belsi Gonzalez.confirmed the arrival of the units which cost $125 million including  the supply and installation of equipment and training of  operating staff.

Criticism of the Government contract with Selex came over the price of the 19 radar units According to press reports, the cost of the contract signed by Panama totaled $125 million, while Turkey got  24 units  for  $33 million.

Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, justified the price saying that Panama had to buy "all the technology" for the radar, unlike other countries who only buy upgrades for existing equipment. The purchase of these devices is one of three contracts signed by Panama with subsidiaries of the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica's  AgustaWestland also got contracts for six helicopters for $60 million and a digital mapping system for $22 million.

In  Italy the public prosecutor is investigating the contracts, while in Panama, prosecutors are handling a complaint from the Popular Party.