The Defence Ministry has signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore to strengthen maritime security, including procurement of six ALH Mk III helicopters for the Coast Guard and Shtil missiles for the Navy — a development relevant for aspirants preparing through UPSC coaching in Hyderabad under GS3 Internal Security and Defence Technology.
Key Acquisitions
Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH Mk III)
• Contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) worth ₹2,901 crore.
• Six twin-engine helicopters with modern features for maritime roles.
• Capable of missions from shore bases and ships at sea.
• Will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to protect offshore installations, artificial islands, fishermen, and the marine environment.
• Project involves supply from 200+ MSMEs, generating ~65 lakh man-hours of employment.
Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles
• Contract with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport, valued at ₹2,182 crore.
• To be installed on frontline warships.
• Provides layered air defence against diverse aerial threats.
• Offers rapid reaction, all-weather engagement capability, improving survivability in contested maritime zones.
Indigenous Push
• ALH Mk III procurement falls under the Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM) category.
• Reinforces Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
• Encourages domestic defence production and MSME participation — themes frequently discussed in IAS coaching in Hyderabad while analysing India’s defence sector reforms.
Strategic Significance
• Strengthens India’s maritime security architecture.
• Enhances air defence capability of Navy warships.
• Boosts employment and industrial growth through indigenous manufacturing.
• Reflects India’s continued defence partnership with Russia while promoting self-reliance.
• Important for understanding India’s defence modernisation, often covered in UPSC online coaching for GS3 security preparation.
Conclusion
The dual acquisition of ALH Mk III helicopters and Shtil missiles represents a balanced approach — advancing indigenous defence manufacturing while leveraging strategic partnerships abroad under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, an important theme discussed in civils coaching in Hyderabad for security and defence studies.
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