Defence Ministry signs ₹5,083 crore contracts for six ALH Mk-III helicopters and VL-Shtil missiles
The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore at South Block, New Delhi, on 3 March 2026 for six ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard and Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.
Summary
The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth a total of ₹5,083 crore at South Block, New Delhi, on 3 March 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The first, worth ₹2,901 crore, is with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard, with role equipment, an engineering support package and performance-based logistics, under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The twin-engine helicopters can fly maritime security missions from shore and from ships; the project will draw on more than 200 MSMEs and generate about 65 lakh man-hours of employment. The second, worth ₹2,182 crore, is with JSC Rosoboronexport of Russia for Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles and missile holding frames to strengthen the layered air defence of Indian Navy frontline warships.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 3 March 2026, South Block, New Delhi
- Total
- ₹5,083 crore
- ALH Mk-III (MR)
- 6 helicopters for Indian Coast Guard; ₹2,901 crore; HAL Bengaluru
- Category
- Buy (Indian-IDDM)
- Industry
- 200+ MSMEs; ~65 lakh man-hours
- VL-Shtil
- Surface-to-air missiles for Indian Navy; ₹2,182 crore; JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia
Practice MCQs 4 questions
For which force are the six ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) helicopters contracted on 3 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Coast Guard
The six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters, worth ₹2,901 crore, are for the Indian Coast Guard.
With which company did the Defence Ministry sign the contract for Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles on 3 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — JSC Rosoboronexport
The ₹2,182 crore VL-Shtil contract was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation.
What was the combined value of the ALH Mk-III and VL-Shtil contracts signed on 3 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,083 crore
The two contracts totalled ₹5,083 crore: ₹2,901 crore for ALH Mk-III and ₹2,182 crore for VL-Shtil.
Consider the following statements about the ALH Mk-III (MR) contract of 3 March 2026: 1. It was placed with HAL under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. 2. The helicopters are single-engine platforms meant only for shore-based operations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The Ministry describes the ALH Mk-III as twin-engine helicopters able to operate from shore-based airfields and from ships at sea.