Ministry launches investigation into army contract for Czech-made Tatra trucks

The Finance Ministry has launched an investigation into the purchase of new Tatra trucks by the Czech army, Lidove noviny reported. The supplier was selected directly, not through a tender, and critics say the trucks are both over-priced and fail to meet the army's requirements, the daily said. Inspectors and auditors from the Finance Ministry are investigating the CZK 2.6 billion deal signed by former defence minister Jiri Sedivy last December. At the time the government said it had selected Tatra as it was a Czech firm and provided thousands of jobs in the north Moravian region.