Defence PSU picks firm set up by ex-CMD, wife - evaluation stage, according to Government e-Marketplace portal. It has quoted price of Rs 56.8 crore for tender, and financial evaluation of its bid is underway.
A "single tender" is non-competitive route in which only one vendor is invited to bid. Norms allow it only when just one supplier can meet requirement, or when need is urgent. This tender also requires supplier to provide technical support for at least 15 years for maintenance, repair and overhaul of sights.
Optical sights are critical part of aiming and target-acquisition system of anti-tank guided missile. Operator uses sight to locate and track target and to align missile with it.
Company records show that Aindri Defence Advisory was incorporated in May 2024 by Siddharth Mishra and his wife. Each held 50 per cent. Mishra retired from BDL in March 2023 after four years as CMD. He was director and shareholder of company from its incorporation until January 2025. He left when he was appointed Member (Technical) at National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata. Shambhavi now holds 95 per cent and is director. The other director, Kaushiki Nandan Vatsyayana, holds remaining 5 per cent. Company did not respond to questions emailed to address provided in its filings with Registrar of Companies. Vatsyayana said he could not share information about BDL tender. BDL did not reply to queries from this newspaper.
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The 2026 tender marks major commercial shift. BDL bought same type of optical sights in 2024 and 2025, but both other director, Kaushiki Nandan Vatsyayana, holds remain- purchases were competitive and limited to public sector. The 2024 tender was open only to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The 2025 tender was open to CPSEs and Defence Public Sector Undertakings. Data from GeM portal shows that India Optel Limited, a Mini Ratna under Ministry of Defence, won both.
The 2026 tender drops both competition and public sector restriction. It is addressed only to Aindri Defence Advisory, making this first time in three years that order may go to private firm.
Optical sights in anti-tank missiles EXPLAINED: Optical sights form critical component of Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) systems, enabling operators to detect, identify and track targets. These sights receive infrared radiation from missiles, convert inputs into electrical signals and transmit them to coordinator units on ground. An optical sight typically comprises lenses, eyepiece, sighting reticle and housing with protective components, mostly manufactured in India. Bharat Dynamics Ltd's portfolio includes Konkurs-M, mechanised infantry ATGM manufactured under licence from Russian company. In 2022, PSU signed Rs 3,131.82-crore contract with Indian Army for manufacture and supply of Konkurs-M, which can be fired from specialised infantry combat vehicle or ground launcher.
BDL cites urgency as its reason for choosing this route: "The competent authority in the Ministry or Department has certified that demand is urgent, and any additional expenditure involved by not procuring through advertised tender enquiry is justified in view of urgency. The Ministry or Department has placed on record nature of urgency and reasons why procurement could not be anticipated," tender states. The reasons, however, are not spelled out.
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The shift also shows how tenders treat Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). The 2024 and 2025 tenders were formally exempted from MSE purchase preference through approvals from competent authority. The 2026 tender applies it. Under preference, eligible MSEs and original equipment manufacturers quoting within 15 per cent of lowest price (L1) can be offered chance to match L1. If they do, they can win up to 25 per cent of order quantity. An Indian, Mishra served in Indian Navy for more than three decades until 2016. He then spent three years as General Manager at Electronics Corporation of India Ltd before joining BDL as CMD in 2019. For watchdog, single tender to ex-CMD's family firm raises conflict-of-interest questions even if technically legal.
Hashtags: #BDL #DefencePSU #SingleTender #AindriDefence #ATGM #OpticalSights #KonkursM #DefenceProcurement #GeM #ConflictOfInterest