New Delhi, (IANS) : The CBI on Friday said that it has registered an First Information Report (FIR) to probe allegations of kickbacks in the purchase of three Embraer aircraft in a $208 million deal inked in 2008.

“We have registered an FIR in the case, and we have started investigation,” Central Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Devpreet Singh told IANS.

On September 17, the CBI registered a preliminary enquiry on a reference from the Defence Ministry over allegations related to Embraer employing an agent to facilitate various contracts.

In 2008, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a $208 million deal with Embraer for three ERJ-145 aircraft to build indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems for the Indian Air Force.

The deal involved the purchase of three aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered in 2011 and the remaining two in 2013.