By A Correspondent
New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) on February 12, 2026, signed a INR 2,312 crore contract with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) under the Buy (Indian) category.
Signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the contract is seen as a major push to strengthen India’s maritime security and promote indigenous defence manufacturing.
HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur will manufacture the aircraft and deliver it with Operational Role Equipment tailored to the Coast Guard’s surveillance and maritime patrol requirements.
The Dornier 228 aircraft is set to significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capabilities, particularly in maritime surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), coastal security, and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) monitoring.
The addition of eight new aircraft will strengthen the ICG’s fleet amid increasing maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Dornier 228 is a proven short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft widely used by the Coast Guard for reconnaissance missions, pollution control monitoring, anti-smuggling operations, and disaster response.
The procurement under the Buy (Indian) category underscores the government’s continued focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Make-in-India initiatives in the defence sector.
By awarding the contract to HAL, the MoD is reinforcing its commitment to indigenisation and reducing dependency on foreign defence imports.
The deal is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment by strengthening HAL’s production ecosystem.
It will also support a broad network of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and ancillary industries that form the backbone of India’s aerospace manufacturing supply chain.
Beyond aircraft production, the programme will create sustained opportunities in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and lifecycle technical support, ensuring long-term industrial activity and skill development in the domestic aerospace sector.
HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur has been at the forefront of producing the Dornier 228, which has been progressively indigenised over the years. The latest contract is expected to further deepen indigenous content and technology absorption.
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