Defence Ministry signs Rs 5,083 crore contracts for ALH Mk-III helicopters and Shtil missiles

Exam-focused facts from the 5 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch - Shtil missiles.
The ALH Mk-III contract valued at Rs 2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The helicopters include operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support for the Indian Coast Guard.
The Shtil missile contract valued at Rs 2,182 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation.
The acquisition aims to enhance the Indian Navy's layered air defence and the Indian Coast Guard's maritime security capabilities.