L&T, Adani Group, BHEL In The Race To Build Space Launch Vehicles

Three entities are in the race to secure the contract to build five units of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s iconic Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), reports Times of India.

The three entities include a single firm and two consortiums. The two consortiums include one led by Ahmedabad-headquartered Adani Group and another which comprises Larsen & Toubro (L&T). All three are said to have submitted their bids on 30 July.

Adani's Consortium also includes Alpha Design, and state-owned entities BEL and BEML. The consortium involving L&T includes public sector aerospace major HAL. Meanwhile, another public sector entity, BHEL has placed its bid as a single entity.

The bids were invited by the New Space India Limited (NSIL). NSIL is a public sector undertaking (PSU) that operates under the Government's Department of Space.

It should be noted that NSIL had first called for the Expression of Interest (EOI) to which five entities had responded. However, following its issuance of the Request for Proposal (RFP), three entities submitted bids.