As news broke across India about the massive helicopter deals with Russia and Israel, the media frenzy was immediate and intense. Major television networks and online platforms began speculating on the significance of these deals. Prominent defense analysts appeared on news shows, offering their perspectives on why two of the world's leading defense buyers were so eager to purchase the Shatru and Vidyut helicopters. Headlines like "Why Are Russia and Israel Buying India's New Helicopters?" and "India's Defense Powerhouse: Why Isn't Our Military Equipped?" dominated news cycles.
One particular defense expert, Colonel Ajay Singh (Retd.), expressed amazement at the technological advances that Anant Defence had made in such a short time. He said, "If countries like Russia and Israel are committing to these helicopters, we must ask: Why is India not fast-tracking their own acquisition? These models seem to offer unparalleled combat, stealth, and operational capabilities that could redefine our military's helicopter fleet."
Soon, the public was swept up in the media hype. Citizens began flooding social media, particularly Anant Defence's platform "Ask," with comments, questions, and demands. They posted on forums and pages dedicated to defense discussions, saying things like:
"If Russia and Israel want them, we should be buying them too! What's the delay?"
"Our soldiers deserve the best equipment. Why aren't we using the helicopters that other nations are fighting to get?"
"What's our government waiting for?"
The pressure on the government started to mount, with #BuyIndianHelicopters trending across social media platforms. Prominent news anchors held panel discussions, with some calling out the Ministry of Defense for not prioritizing these advanced helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces.
Prithviraj Singh kept a close watch on the escalating situation, knowing that this growing public demand could work in his favor. He also anticipated that this media attention would force the government to act quickly, potentially fast-tracking their own deal for the Shatru and Vidyut series. The spotlight was firmly on his company, and now it was up to the defense minister to respond to the growing chorus of questions.
As the media buzz continued to build, the public's curiosity and impatience grew louder. On social media, particularly on Anant Defence's platform "Ask," questions from everyday citizens flooded in, ranging from technical inquiries to demands for answers on the government's plans. The public, already aware of the deals with Russia and Israel, wanted to know why their own country was not moving as quickly.
On the official social media account of Anant Defence, people were posting comments like:
"When will the Indian Army get these helicopters? Why are we selling them to other countries before using them ourselves?""We deserve to know why Russia and Israel have signed deals, and we haven't even seen a single helicopter in action!""These helicopters are designed for India's terrain—why is our military still flying outdated models?"
As more and more people engaged with the posts, the conversation grew heated, with some speculating that bureaucratic delays or political red tape were holding back India's military from acquiring these helicopters. A handful of defense enthusiasts even began circulating technical comparisons between the Shatru and Vidyut helicopters and existing Indian military helicopters, highlighting the advantages of the new designs.
A few critical voices began questioning the transparency of the defense procurement process, wondering why Anant Defence was catering to foreign clients before ensuring the Indian military was fully equipped. This narrative was quickly picked up by journalists, fueling debates across multiple news outlets.
Sensing the growing frustration and realizing the strategic opportunity it presented, Prithviraj knew that this surge of public interest would force the Indian government to act sooner rather than later. The public pressure was creating the perfect storm, and Prithviraj would soon find himself in the spotlight of national defense discussions. With the right moves, the government's hand could be forced into finalizing a deal, making Anant Defence the cornerstone of India's helicopter capabilities.
The growing pressure from the media and public did not go unnoticed by the Indian government. Defense Minister , a veteran politician known for his calm and calculated approach, was now facing a barrage of questions from both the press and opposition parties in Parliament. The demand for clarity on why India had not yet purchased the Shatru and Vidyut helicopters was escalating.
In response to the mounting pressure, he held a press conference at the Ministry of Defence. Standing behind the podium, flanked by military officials, he addressed the media with an air of authority.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I understand the concerns regarding the acquisition of the helicopters developed by Anant Defence Limited, which have garnered international attention following the recent deals with Russia and Israel. Let me assure you, the government is fully committed to strengthening our armed forces with the best technology available."
The journalists in the room leaned forward, eager for more details.
"We are currently in the final stages of discussions with Anant Defence to procure these helicopters for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. We have been assessing the operational requirements and will soon finalize a deal that meets the needs of our defense forces. Our goal is to ensure that our soldiers have the most advanced equipment at their disposal to defend our nation."
As the minister spoke, the camera flashes intensified, capturing the moment. One journalist raised a hand, asking, " Defence Minister , is the delay due to financial constraints, or is there a technical reason?"
he maintained his composure. "There are no delays. The government has a responsibility to conduct due diligence and ensure that any defense procurement is in the best interest of our armed forces and the country. We are nearing the conclusion of this process, and I expect to make an official announcement soon."
His words were carefully chosen, balancing the need to reassure the public while maintaining the government's image of prudence. The media, sensing that something big was on the horizon, pushed for more details, but the defense minister skillfully deflected, stating that any further information would be shared once the deal was finalized.
The press conference ended with the promise that a significant update would be provided soon. The public had been given enough to quiet their concerns for now, but Prithviraj knew the real pressure was now on him to deliver when the deal was struck. The government was close to making a commitment, and the nation's eyes were firmly fixed on Anant Defence.
Later that day, Prithviraj Singh sat in his sleek, high-tech office at Anant Defence Limited, his eyes focused on the display screens in front of him. His mind, however, was preoccupied with the impending deal with the Indian government. As if on cue, the encrypted line buzzed, and Zero notified him of an incoming call from the defense minister.
"Patch him through," Prithviraj said.
Defense Minister ,"Mr. Singh," he began, "I've spoken to the Prime Minister and top officials. We're ready to move forward with a purchase of 200 Vidyut helicopters and 500 Shatru helicopters. The military high command is eager, but I need a firm delivery timeline before we make this official. When can we expect them?"
Prithviraj nodded thoughtfully. "Minister, we've anticipated this order. We're expanding our production capabilities as we speak. Two new manufacturing facilities are nearly complete, and once operational, we'll have four production lines at our disposal."
"Two lines will be dedicated to exports, while the other two will serve the Indian armed forces. With these new lines, we'll be able to produce 15 helicopters per month—each line capable of making both Vidyut and Shatru models for export.
For Indian order we have 2 dedicated production line for it which will produce 20 unit of both type of helicopter Vidyut and Shatru Models.Once everything is fully operational, we should be able to deliver the entire batch within two years."
The minister leaned in slightly, listening carefully. "And what about costs?"
"For the Vidyut, the price will be ₹22 crores per helicopter. For the Shatru, ₹20 crores. These prices reflect the advanced technologies, targeting systems, and the custom features tailored specifically for India's military needs."
"I'll relay this information to the Prime Minister. But there's one more thing—we need to ensure that this order doesn't interfere with the export commitments. How confident are you in balancing both?"
"Minister," Prithviraj assured him, "the export lines will be dedicated strictly to foreign buyers like Russia and Israel. The two lines for India will be completely separate, and we've made provisions to ensure our domestic commitments are met first if necessary."
There was a pause as the minister digested the information. "Alright, that sounds acceptable. I'll draft the necessary paperwork and move this forward to the PMO for final approval. But I also have one more question before I let you go."
"Yes?" Prithviraj raised an eyebrow.
"After we finalize the order for the Shatru and Vidyut, what about the other models? Garuda, Raksha, and Veer—when can we expect those?"
Prithviraj smiled slightly, already prepared for the follow-up. "Minister, those helicopters have their own dedicated production lines.
Defence Minster tell that he want to order of 80 Garuda helicopters, 60 Raksha, and 160 Veer helicopters
we can produce 80 Garuda helicopters, 60 Raksha, and 160 Veer within 1.5 years. The prices will be ₹15 crores for Garuda, ₹9 crores for Raksha, and ₹12 crores for Veer."
"That's good news. The country needs this equipment, and fast. I'll keep you updated, and once we get the PMO's green light, we'll move swiftly on this."
Prithviraj thanked the minister and ended the call. As the display screen went dark, he leaned back in his chair. The deal was almost within reach, but the real work was about to begin. Delivering on such a large-scale order, under the watchful eyes of both the public and the government, was no small feat. But with Zero and his team, Prithviraj was confident that they would meet the challenge head-on.
A few days after the conversation with the Defense Minister, Prithviraj sat in the conference room at Anant Defence Limited,
Prithviraj nodded, but remained focused as the minister continued.
"The armed forces need 80 Garuda transport helicopters, 60 Raksha search and rescue helicopters, and 160 Veer utility helicopters. The military's logistical operations are currently stretched thin, and this order is critical to supporting future operations, especially along the borders."
Prithviraj leaned forward. "Minister, we have three separate production lines dedicated to each of these models. As I mentioned before, we are capable of delivering all of these within 1.5 years."
He motioned to one of the charts on the screen. "The Garuda helicopters, priced at ₹15 crores each, are optimized for heavy-lift operations and troop transport. The Raksha helicopters, at ₹9 crores, are equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and rescue systems, ideal for search and rescue missions in both combat zones and disaster areas. Lastly, the Veer helicopters, priced at ₹12 crores, are versatile utility helicopters for a wide range of missions, from troop movement to logistics."
One of the military generals present leaned in, eyes narrowing with interest. "What kind of timeline are we looking at for initial deliveries?"
Prithviraj addressed him directly. "We can have the first 20 Garuda and Veer helicopters, along with 10 Raksha helicopters, ready within six months. After that, we will continue with phased deliveries to ensure a steady supply."
The Defense Minister seemed pleased. "That should work for the armed forces' needs. But I want to ensure that any maintenance and after-sales support are handled seamlessly."
Prithviraj smiled confidently. "We've already set up a dedicated support team. Each helicopter model will have a team assigned to provide both on-site and remote assistance. We are also offering a comprehensive maintenance package that includes replacement parts and routine inspections for the first five years."
The minister exchanged a glance with his aides before returning his gaze to Prithviraj. "That sounds like a solid plan. We're prepared to move forward. We'll finalize the details on our end, and this will be sent to the PMO for formal approval."
Prithviraj nodded in agreement, but before the conversation could end, Zero's calm voice chimed in through Prithviraj's earpiece, and a message appeared on his screen.
"Remind them of the importance of the production timelines for national defense readiness," Zero advised.
Prithviraj spoke up. "Minister, I want to reiterate the importance of the production timelines. We will prioritize the needs of the Indian Armed Forces to ensure that the defense sector remains fully prepared, especially considering the geopolitical tensions we're facing."
The minister nodded. "Indeed. I'll keep you informed as the PMO reviews the contract. But rest assured, we're very much committed to these purchases."
With that, the meeting came to a close. The defense minister shook hands with Prithviraj before leaving with his delegation. The deals were progressing well, and as Prithviraj sat back in his chair, he knew that securing these large orders was not just about business, but about positioning his company as an indispensable asset to the nation's defense strategy.
As the meeting room emptied, Prithviraj looked at the screen displaying the contract figures. The numbers were substantial—₹1,200 crores for the Garuda helicopters, ₹540 crores for the Raksha, and ₹1,920 crores for the Veer. These orders would not only solidify Anant Defence Limited's standing domestically, but also reinforce its global reputation.
Once alone, Prithviraj spoke quietly, "Zero, initiate the next steps. We'll need to be fully operational to meet these deadlines."
"As you wish," Zero responded.