India’s defence ministry on Wednesday signed a ₹2,312 crore ($278 million) contract with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard, as part of its push to strengthen maritime security and boost domestic defence manufacturing.
The ministry said the contract was signed under the Buy (Indian) category with HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur and includes operational role equipment for the aircraft. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was present at the signing ceremony in New Delhi.
The defence ministry said the programme is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment by strengthening HAL’s production ecosystem and supporting a wide network of micro, small and medium enterprises and ancillary industries. It will also create sustained opportunities in maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, as well as lifecycle technical support.
The contract reinforces the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, which aim to reduce dependence on defence imports while building indigenous manufacturing capabilities, the ministry said. It added that the acquisition will also bolster India’s maritime security architecture, particularly in surveillance and coastal operations.
