Centre inks ₹5,000-cr. deal to strengthen maritime security

Centre inks ₹5,000-cr. deal to strengthen maritime security

The Defence Ministry on Tuesday signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters Mk-III (maritime role) for the Indian Coast Guard and Shtil surface-to-air vertical launch missiles for the Indian Navy.

The contract for the six choppers, along with operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support, valued at ₹2,901 crore, has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Indigenous push

The purchase comes under the category of indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured products, the Ministry said.

The twin-engine helicopters incorporate state-of-the-art features superior to the airborne platforms currently in operation, and are capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as from ships at sea.

Their induction is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capability to ensure the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore installations, and fishermen, as well as safeguarding the marine environment, the Ministry said. The project envisages supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and is expected to generate approximately 65 lakh man-hours of employment.

The contract reinforces the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or resilient India, and the Make-in-India initiative, while strengthening the country’s maritime security architecture, it added.

Separately, the contract for the procurement ofShtil missiles and associated missile holding frames, valued at ₹2,182 crore, has been signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, a state-run company of the Russian Federation.

The acquisition is aimed at substantially enhancing the air defence capabilities of warships on the front line against a wide spectrum of aerial threats, the Ministry said.

Rapid reaction

The system will bolster the layered air defence architecture aboard Indian Navy platforms by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments. The contract underscores the longstanding defence partnership between India and Russia.

The contracts were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi.