New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence signed MoD defence contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore on March 3 for six ALH Mk-III helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard and VL-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh oversaw the signing at South Block, New Delhi. The agreements cover acquisition of Advanced Light Helicopters in Maritime Role and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch Shtil missile systems.
The contract for six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters is valued at Rs 2,901 crore. The Ministry signed it with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. The deal includes operational role equipment, engineering support and performance-based logistics.
These twin-engine helicopters feature advanced systems and can operate from shore bases and ships at sea. Therefore, they will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to protect offshore installations, artificial islands, fishermen and the marine environment. In addition, the project will source equipment from over 200 MSMEs and generate around 65 lakh man-hours of employment.
MoD defence contracts strengthen naval air defence capability
The Ministry also signed a Rs 2,182 crore agreement with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation for Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames.
The acquisition aims to strengthen air defence capability of frontline Indian Navy warships. Moreover, the system will provide rapid-reaction and all-weather engagement against diverse aerial threats. Consequently, it will improve survivability of naval platforms in contested maritime environments.
Officials said the MoD defence contracts reflect the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make-in-India initiative. At the same time, the missile agreement highlights the longstanding defence partnership between India and Russia.
