HAL secures Rs 458.87crore contract for two Dornier aircraft

The Ministry of Defence has awarded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-run corporation, a contract for the supply of two Dornier aircraft to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The contract, which includes an associated engineering support package, is valued at ₹458.87 crore.
Under the Buy (Indian) Category, the aircraft will be produced domestically at HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division located in Kanpur. This procurement aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and will significantly bolster the push towards self-reliance or ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence production.
“The addition of these aircraft will enhance the ICG’s ability to monitor its maritime areas of responsibility,” according to an official statement.
These Dornier aircraft will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as a Glass Cockpit, Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro Optic Infra-Red device, and a Mission Management System.
This procurement aligns with the government’s ambitious objective of achieving defence manufacturing to the tune of ₹175,000 crore, inclusive of defence exports valued at ₹35,000 crore by the fiscal year 2024-25.
Over the past few years, the Indian government has implemented various policy initiatives and reforms aimed at fostering the indigenous design, development, and manufacture of defence equipment in an effort to promote self-reliance in this critical sector.