India Bolsters Naval Air Defense with $237M Shtil Missile Deal with Russia
Fresh Delhi has solidified its long-standing defense partnership with Moscow by signing a $237 million contract for the supply of Russian-built Shtil vertical-launch ship-based surface-to-air missile systems to the Indian Navy. The agreement, finalized with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state agency for defense exports, aims to significantly enhance the air defense capabilities of India’s frontline warships against a wide range of aerial threats. [Source: The Defense Post]
Strengthening Naval Capabilities
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Shtil system will reinforce the layered air defense architecture onboard Indian Navy platforms. This will provide rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments. [Source: The Defense Post] The contract underscores the enduring defense partnership between India and Russia, built on mutual trust and strategic alignment.
Shtil Missile System: Key Features
Developed by Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, the Shtil is based on the Buk-M1 land-based air defense system. [Source: The Defense Post] It is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 45 kilometers (28 miles) and neutralizing threats traveling at speeds of up to Mach 2.5 (approximately 3,087 kilometers per hour). [Source: The Defense Post] The system utilizes 9M317 and 9M317M missile interceptors, with the capacity to launch up to 12 missiles.
Historical Integration and Recent Acquisitions
The Shtil system has been integrated into the Indian Navy’s arsenal since 2003, initially deployed aboard the INS Talwar frigate. [Source: The Defense Post] The recent contract supports the operational missile stock for Russian-built Project 11356 frigates, specifically the INS Tushil and INS Tamal, which were completed in 2024 and 2025 respectively. [Source: Army Recognition] Two additional frigates of the same project, Triput and Tavasya, are currently under construction in India at the Goa Shipyard Limited facility. [Source: United 24 Media]
Additional Defense Investments
Alongside the Shtil missile procurement, the Indian Ministry of Defence also announced contracts worth approximately $315 million for the acquisition of six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard. [Source: The Defense Post] These helicopters, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will be used for maritime security, protecting artificial islands, marine facilities, and civil naval traffic.
Contract Details
The contract for the Shtil missiles is valued at ₹2,182 crore (approximately $230 million or $238 million depending on the source). [Source: Indian Defence News] [Source: Army Recognition] The overall agreement, including previous purchases, is estimated at around $1.2 billion for 120 short-range and 168 long-range missiles. [Source: United 24 Media]