India to buy surface-to-air vertical launch missiles from Russia
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.
India has signed a contract with Russian company Rosonboronexport for the procurement of surface-to-air vertical launch missiles valued at Rs2,182 crore for the Indian Navy to enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline warships against aerial threats.
The contract for the procurement of the missiles and associated missile holding frames was signed today (3 March), the Indian defence ministry said in a statement.
"The acquisition is intended to substantially enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline warships against a wide spectrum of aerial threats," it said.
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According to the statement, 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," it said.
The ministry also signed contracts worth a total of Rs5,083 crore for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (maritime role) for the Indian Coast Guard from with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, under the Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured category.
