The Ministry of Defense has officially signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore ($610–615 million) to upgrade India’s maritime security architecture. The agreements, inked in New Delhi in the presence of Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, secure new equipment for both the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.
A major portion of the deal involves a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for ALH Mk-III (MR) twin-engine helicopters. The package includes operational equipment, engineering backing, and performance-based logistics support.
These modern helicopters are designed to operate from both shore-based airfields and ships at sea. For the Coast Guard, this induction directly enhances its ability to execute maritime security missions, including:
- Protecting artificial islands and offshore installations
- Safeguarding fishermen
- Monitoring and protecting the marine environment
To strengthen the Indian Navy, a separate contract was signed with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of VL-Shtil missiles and associated holding frames.
This acquisition will substantially upgrade the layered air defense architecture aboard frontline warships. The system provides rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capabilities, significantly improving vessel survivability against a wide spectrum of aerial threats in contested maritime environments.