The Ministry of Defence inked a contract worth ₹5083 crore on Tuesday for the acquisition of Russian Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy for ₹2,182 cr and six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-II (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for ₹2,901 cr from HAL. The contract for six choppers, along with operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support, was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi. The contract has been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. valued at Rs 2,901 crore.
This will help India manufacture defence equipment indigenously as this comes under the category of indegenously designed, developed and manufactured products. The ALH Mk-III choppers will enhance protection of artificial islands and offshore installations. The twin-engine helicopters incorporate state-of-the-art features superior to the airborne platforms, which are in use at present. They are capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields and from ships at sea as well. Their induction will significantly upgrade the ICG’s capability to ensure the safety and protection of artificial islands, fishermen’s safety and overall safeguarding of marine ecology.
The project will also contribute to employment generation as it is expected to generate nearly 65 lakh manhours of employment. 200 MSMEs will supply equipments to the project. This will strengthen India’s Make in India initiative and will be a stepping stone towards Viksit Bharat 2047. The system will reinforce India’s layered air defence architecture onboard the platforms of the Indian Navy by providing all-weather engagement capability, improved survivability in contested maritime environments and rapid reaction capability.
