On February 12, 2026, the Ministry of Defence of India signed a contract of eight Dornier-228 aircraft to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in a contract worth a sum of Rs 2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Inked under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this "Buy (Indian-IDDM)-deal boosts maritime security amidst the increasing threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
Where was this Contract Signed?
The contract is on procurement of eight Dornier-228s with operational role equipment to perform coastal surveillance, search-and-rescue (SAR) and pollution monitoring.
It was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and helps HAL in the Kanpur division and enhances the networks of MSMEs by providing employment and MRO facilities.
The delivery schedule is in line with the widened EEZ patrols by ICG.
Dornier-228 Overview
The Dornier-228 is a short take-off/landing (STOL) twin-turboprop manufactured by Germany's General Atomics (which was formerly Dornier) and is perfect in maritime applications.
Variants of 228-100 and 228-201 already exist in variants of patrol by ICG. It has also acquired two modernized units in the past, in 2023, at a cost of Rs 458 crore.
Strategic Role of these Planes
These planes contribute to the domain awareness of ICG in the Indian 7,500 km coastal waters in terms of anti-smuggling, disaster management, and EEZ security. They allow rapid role changes in surveillance, medevac and pollution control to overcome hybrid threats of piracy and trafficking. The procurement is fitting the recent naval buildups and regional tensions.
The Dornier-228 deal of Rs 2,312 crore is an illustration of the move that India makes towards self-reliance in defence production under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Not only will it provide the Indian Coast Guard with essential elements of surveillance by empowering HAL and its MSME ecosystem but also enhance the scope of maritime security in the vast coastline and EEZ.
The strategic infusion will bring about improved disaster response, anti-smuggling and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
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