By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI — Two Indian companies have declined to participate in a US $1 billion tender to supply quick reaction surface-to-air missiles (QRSAMs), dealing a setback to efforts to expand domestic involvement in big-ticket defense projects.
Defence Ministry sources said the domestic companies do not have the necessary technical know-how to team with overseas companies.
An executive with Indian company Punj Lloyd said the firm tried negotiations with overseas companies but found the project commercially unviable. The executive refused to give details.
Although it is the country’s primary defense electronics manufacturer, Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) has no experience with QRSAM systems and did not enter the competition.
BEL officials declined to discuss the subject, but MoD sources said BEL had not filed papers for the tender.
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