New Delhi:
The Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The agreement also includes the acquisition of operational role equipment to enhance the aircraft’s surveillance and maritime patrol capabilities.
The procurement programme was finalised in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, marking a significant step in modernising the Coast Guard’s fleet and strengthening India’s coastal and maritime security infrastructure.
According to an official statement, the contract has been signed under the “Buy (Indian)” category, reflecting the government’s push to prioritise indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
The defence ministry noted that the programme is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, strengthening HAL’s production ecosystem and supporting a wide network of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and ancillary industries across the country.
The contract also reinforces the government’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives, while significantly enhancing India’s maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue, and coastal security capabilities.