As part of the initiatives to reinforce sea control and air defence capabilities in an evolving maritime security environment, the defence ministry, on Tuesday, inked ₹5,083 crore worth of contracts for advanced maritime helicopters and naval missile systems for both the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.
While the contract for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the contract for Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL) Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy has been signed with Russia's JSC Rosoboronexport.
ALH Mk-III
The Rs 2,901 crore contract has been signed with HAL, Bengaluru, under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category for the procurement of six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters.
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The twin-engine helicopters, equipped with advanced maritime role systems, are designed to undertake a wide spectrum of coastal and offshore security missions from shore-based airfields as well as ships at sea.
Their induction is expected to strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities in safeguarding artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen and the marine environment, the defence ministry stated in a release.
The deal is projected to involve over 200 MSMEs and generate approximately 65 lakh man-hours, reinforcing the government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and domestic defence manufacturing.
Vertical launch Shtil missiles
The ministry also signed a Rs 2,182 crore contract with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL) Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames.
The acquisition is aimed at significantly enhancing the air defence capabilities of frontline Indian Navy warships against a wide range of aerial threats, strengthening layered maritime air defence.
"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 defence ministry stated in a release.