Defence Ministry Clears ₹5,083 Crore Deals to Boost Navy and Coast Guard Strength

New Delhi | 3 March 2026 The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed two major defence contracts worth ₹5,083 crore to strengthen the operational readiness of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. The deals include the purchase of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Coast Guard and Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Navy, aimed at improving maritime security and air defence capabilities. Out of the total amount, a contract worth ₹2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the supply of ALHs along with operational equipment, engineering support, and performance-based logistics. According to the ministry, the induction of these helicopters will greatly improve the Coast Guard’s ability to protect artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen, and the marine environment. “These twin-engine helicopters incorporate state-of-the-art features superior to the currently operated airborne platforms and are capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as from ships at sea,” the ministry said. The helicopter project is also expected to support the domestic industry, as equipment will be sourced from more than 200 MSMEs, creating nearly 65 lakh man-hours of employment. The deal comes at a crucial time, as ALHs of the Navy and Coast Guard are likely to return to service from April after a long grounding that followed a fatal Coast Guard crash in January 2025. HAL has since addressed a technical issue related to the aircraft’s transmission system. The second contract, valued at ₹2,182 crore, was signed with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the supply of Shtil surface-to-air missiles to the Indian Navy. The defence ministry said the missiles will significantly improve the air defence of frontline warships against various aerial threats. “The system will reinforce the layered air defence architecture onboard the platforms of the Indian Navy 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 Defence Ministry Clears ₹5,083 Crore Deals to Boost Navy and Coast Guard Strength The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed two major defence contracts worth ₹5,083 crore to strengthen the operational readiness of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. The deals include the purchase of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Coast Guard and Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Navy, aimed at improving maritime security and air defence capabilities. Out of the total amount, a contract worth ₹2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the supply of ALHs along with operational equipment, engineering support, and performance-based logistics. According to the ministry, the induction of these helicopters will greatly improve the Coast Guard’s ability to protect artificial islands, offshore installations, fishermen, and the marine environment. “These twin-engine helicopters incorporate state-of-the-art features superior to the currently operated airborne platforms and are capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as from ships at sea,” the ministry said. The helicopter project is also expected to support the domestic industry, as equipment will be sourced from more than 200 MSMEs, creating nearly 65 lakh man-hours of employment. The deal comes at a crucial time, as ALHs of the Navy and Coast Guard are likely to return to service from April after a long grounding that followed a fatal Coast Guard crash in January 2025. HAL has since addressed a technical issue related to the aircraft’s transmission system. The second contract, valued at ₹2,182 crore, was signed with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the supply of Shtil surface-to-air missiles to the Indian Navy. The defence ministry said the missiles will significantly improve the air defence of frontline warships against various aerial threats. “The system will reinforce the layered air defence architecture onboard the platforms of the Indian Navy 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.”