NEW DELHI, Mar 3: The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed two major defence contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III in Maritime Role for the Indian Coast Guard and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL)-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.
The contracts were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi.
The contract for six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters, along with operational role equipment, engineering support package and performance-based logistics support, valued at Rs 2,901 crore, has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.
The twin-engine ALH Mk-III helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art systems and are capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as ships at sea. Their induction is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities in ensuring the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen and the marine environment.
According to the Ministry, the project envisages supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and is expected to generate around 65 lakh man-hours of employment. The contract is seen as a boost to the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the Make-in-India initiative, while strengthening the country’s maritime security framework.
In a separate deal valued at Rs 2,182 crore, the Ministry signed a contract with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation, for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL)-Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames for the Indian Navy.
The acquisition aims to enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline warships against a broad spectrum of aerial threats. The VL-Shtil system will reinforce the layered air defence architecture onboard naval platforms by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments.
The Ministry said the contract further underscores the longstanding defence partnership between India and Russia, built on mutual trust and strategic cooperation. (UNI)
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