SAM advises IIFCL Projects on India’s first PPP contract for Earth Observation Systems

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co has advised IIFCL Projects Ltd, the transaction advisers to IN-SPACe, Department of Space, Government of India, on the first-of-its-kind tender for PPP contract for Earth Observation Systems in India.

The Firm provided comprehensive support on the structuring of the project and researching viable models for the same, conducting international comparative analyses of similar projects, the drafting of the tender documents (including the expression of interest and the request for proposals), drafting the draft concession agreement, and vetting the bids received. 

The transaction team was led by V.R. Neelakantan (Partner) and Ankita Kumar (Partner), with support from Aditya Mitra (Principal Associate), Rudra Shankar (Senior Associate) and Tanya Srivastava (Associate).

This deal is the first-of-its-kind PPP project as it entails private parties partnering with IN-SPACe to build satellites and establish/hire the ground segment for both spacecraft control and data download / dissemination. The project involves complex satellite technology and does not have a precedent in the Indian industry. 

IN-SPACe has now awarded the consortium comprising Pixxel Space, Dhruva Space, PierSight and SatSure and lead by Pixxel Space, the proposal to build a 12-satellite network over a period of five years.

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