HAL bags ₹2,901 crore helicopter deal as MoD signs ₹5,083 crore defence contracts

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore to procure maritime helicopters for the coast guard and ship-based air defence missiles for the navy.

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

The contract for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role), valued at ₹2,901 crore, has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.

The twin-engine helicopters, equipped with advanced avionics and mission systems, are capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime security operations from shore-based airfields as well as ships at sea, the defence ministry said.

The induction of the helicopters is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capability in safeguarding artificial islands and offshore installations, while also strengthening protection for fishermen and the marine environment.

The project envisages sourcing equipment from over 200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and is expected 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,” it added.

The ministry also signed a ₹2,182 crore contract with Russia’s state arms exporter JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of Vertical Launch Shtil surface-to-air missiles and associated equipment.

The VL-Shtil system will substantially enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline Indian Navy warships against a broad spectrum of aerial threats, the ministry said.

It will strengthen the layered air defence architecture onboard naval platforms by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments.

“The contract further underscores the longstanding and time-tested defence partnership between India and Russia, founded on mutual trust and strategic alignment,” the ministry added.