Defence PSU Invites Single Bid from Firm Linked to Former Chairman

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Hyderabad-based defence public sector undertaking, has invited a single bid from a private company for supplying optical sights used in missiles, raising questions about transparency and potential conflict of interest. The company, Aindri Defence Advisory Pvt Ltd, was established by former BDL Chairman and Managing Director Siddharth Mishra and his wife, Shambhavi Mishra.

In May 2026, BDL issued a single tender to Aindri for supplying 300 optical sights within seven months. The company has quoted Rs 56.8 crore and cleared the technical evaluation stage, while the financial evaluation of its bid is underway.

A single tender is a non-competitive procurement method in which only one supplier is invited to bid. Government procurement rules generally permit this route when a requirement is urgent or only one supplier can meet the technical requirements. BDL cited urgency for its decision, but the specific reasons for the urgency have not been disclosed.

Shift from Public-Sector Suppliers to a Private Firm

Aindri Defence Advisory was incorporated in May 2024, with Siddharth Mishra and his wife initially holding equal shares. Mishra retired from BDL in March 2023 after serving as its CMD for four years. He remained a director and shareholder of Aindri until January 2025, when he stepped down following his appointment as Member (Technical) at the National Company Law Tribunal in Kolkata. His wife currently owns 95 per cent of the company.

The tender marks a significant change in BDL’s procurement practices. In 2024 and 2025, similar contracts were awarded through competitive tenders restricted to public sector enterprises. India Optel Limited, a defence public sector undertaking, won both procurements.

The 2026 tender, however, allows a private firm to participate without competition. Optical sights help missile operators locate, track and aim at targets by processing infrared signals.

Siddharth Mishra, his wife and the company did not respond to requests for comment. BDL also did not respond to questions regarding the tender.