The Ministry of Defence has signed two major contracts worth ₹5,083 crore to bolster India’s maritime security and naval air defence preparedness. The agreements provide for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III in the Maritime Role configuration for the Indian Coast Guard and the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL-Shtil) missile systems for the Indian Navy.
The contracts were signed at South Block, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. A contract valued at ₹2,901 crore has been concluded with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, under the Buy (Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category for the supply of six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters. The agreement also includes operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support.
The twin-engine helicopters are equipped with advanced avionics and mission systems, offering enhanced capability over existing airborne platforms. Designed to operate from shore bases as well as ships at sea, they are capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime security operations, including coastal surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response, and protection of offshore assets.
The induction of these helicopters will significantly augment the Indian Coast Guard’s capacity to safeguard artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen, and the marine environment. The project will involve equipment sourced from more than 200 MSMEs and is expected to generate approximately 65 lakh man-hours of employment, providing a substantial boost to the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
In a separate agreement worth ₹2,182 crore, the Ministry has contracted JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation, for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL-Shtil) missiles along with associated missile holding frames. The VL-Shtil system will enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline Indian Navy warships against a broad spectrum of aerial threats. With rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability, the system will strengthen the Navy’s layered air defence architecture and improve survivability in contested maritime environments.
The agreement reflects the enduring defence cooperation between India and Russia, built on mutual trust and strategic partnership, while reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening its maritime and national security framework. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is India’s premier aerospace and defense company, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s aviation and space sectors. Established in 1940, HAL designs, develops, manufactures, and maintains a wide range of aircraft, helicopters, engines, and avionics systems for both military and civil applications.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, HAL has been instrumental in advancing India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology through projects like the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, and various collaborations with global aerospace leaders. The company’s contributions extend beyond defense, as it is now expanding into the production of passenger aircraft, marking a new chapter in India’s journey toward becoming a global aviation hub. HAL continues to embody the spirit of innovation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening indigenous capabilities and fostering growth in the nation’s aerospace ecosystem.
