Defence Ministry signs ₹5,083-crore deals for ALH Mk-III helicopters, VL-Shtil missiles

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III in the maritime role for the Indian Coast Guard and for the procurement of Vertical Launch-Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Indian Navy. 

The agreements were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block. 

Boost for coast guard fleet 

Of the total outlay, ₹2,901 crore has been committed for the ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters, along with operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support. The contract has been awarded to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category. 

According to the Ministry of Defence, the twin-engine helicopters come with “state-of-the-art features superior to the currently operated airborne platforms” and are capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as ships at sea. 

The induction is expected to strengthen the Coast Guard’s capabilities in safeguarding artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen and the marine environment. The project will source equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and is estimated to generate around 65 lakh man-hours of employment. 

The ministry said the contract “reinforces the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make-in-India initiative, while further strengthening the nation’s maritime security architecture.” 

Navy’s air defence gets stronger 

Separately, the MoD signed a ₹2,182-crore contract with JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames for the Navy. 

The acquisition is aimed at enhancing the air defence capability of frontline warships against a broad spectrum of aerial threats. The ministry noted that the system will “reinforce the layered air defence architecture onboard the platforms of the Indian Navy by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments.” 

The contract also highlights India’s continuing defence cooperation with Russia, described by the ministry as a “longstanding and time-tested defence partnership… founded on mutual trust and strategic alignment.” 

The latest contracts come amid sustained efforts by the Ministry of Defence to modernise maritime assets and strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing. The ALH Mk-III procurement falls under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category, aimed at boosting omestic production and reducing import dependence.