India has announced new investments to strengthen its maritime military capabilities. The Ministry of Defence signed contracts totaling about US$555 million to acquire six ALH Mk-III Dhruv helicopters for the Coast Guard and VL-Shtil surface-to-air missiles to equip Indian Navy ships.
The helicopters will be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and will include operational equipment, technical support, and logistics. The Dhruv model had faced restrictions after accidents recorded between 2024 and 2025, which led to a temporary suspension of operations.
Investigations indicated that the problem was linked to specific conditions faced by aircraft of the Navy and the Coast Guard, which led to recommendations for improvements in the manufacturing process of critical components.
The gradual resumption of operations took place throughout 2026, including the use of an ALH Mk-III in a security exercise conducted by the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The new order signals renewed confidence in the helicopter, which is also being promoted for export, including a possible sale to the Philippine Coast Guard.
In addition, India continues to invest in new naval aircraft and weapons. HAL is developing the UH-M maritime helicopter for the Navy, while the country has also purchased VL-Shtil missiles from Russia to equip Talwar-class frigates. The weapon system will be integrated into new ships in the fleet, part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s maritime defenses.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @DefenceDecode | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) March 3, 2026
