The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for the procurement of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL)-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.
The contracts were inked at South Block in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
According to the Ministry, the contract for six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters, along with operational role equipment, an engineering support package and performance-based logistics support, has been awarded to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. The deal is valued at Rs 2,901 crore.
The twin-engine helicopters are equipped with advanced features 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 significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capability in ensuring the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen and the marine environment, the Defence Ministry said.
The Ministry added that the project will source equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and is expected to generate approximately 65 lakh man-hours of employment. The contract, it said, reinforces the Government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India initiative while strengthening the country’s maritime security framework.
In a separate agreement, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 2,182 crore contract with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation for the procurement of Surface-to-Air VL-Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames for the Indian Navy.
The acquisition is aimed at enhancing the air defence capabilities of frontline naval warships against a broad spectrum of aerial threats. The system will bolster the Navy’s layered air defence architecture by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments, according to the Ministry.
Source: PIB
