The CBI has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against unknown officials of Defence Ministry and others to probe alleged kickbacks in Embraer aircraft deal.

Earlier, the government had asked the CBI to probe allegations of Brazilian aviation major Embraer hiring a UK-based agent and paying commissions to swing the deal for three Emb-145 aircraft signed with India in 2008.

The three EMB-145 aircraft have been equipped with indigenous radars in a 2,520 crore rupees DRDO project to serve as airborne early-warning and control systems aircraft for Indian Air Force.