MoD Signs ₹2,312 Crore Deal with HAL for 8 Dornier 228 Aircraft to Boost Indian Coast Guard

New Delhi:  Ministry of Defence (MoD) today signed a significant contract worth ₹2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of eight Dornier 228 aircraft along with associated operational equipment for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) under the Buy (Indian) procurement category. 

The contract signing took place in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior MoD officials, underscoring the government’s continued emphasis on boosting indigenous defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives. 

Indigenous Production and Strategic Importance

The Dornier 228 aircraft twin-engine, multi-role turboprop platforms produced by HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur are widely used for maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue, coastal patrol, and logistical support roles. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the operational reach and domain awareness capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, particularly across India’s vast maritime zones. 

Officials said that this contract not only strengthens India’s coastal defence preparedness but also deepens the domestic defence industrial ecosystem by supporting a broad network of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and ancillary industries. It is projected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, while also creating lasting opportunities in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) and life-cycle technical support for the aircraft fleet. 

Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Action

The deal reinforces the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for critical defence platforms by promoting indigenous design, development, and manufacture. Under the “Buy (Indian)” category of defence procurement, priority is given to domestically produced systems — a policy that has already seen earlier Dornier procurements, including two aircraft for the Coast Guard in 2023, and six upgraded aircraft for the Indian Air Force in 2023. 

MoD officials highlighted that continuing the shift toward Make-in-India strengthens strategic autonomy and creates a more resilient defence supply chain. The aircraft’s operational versatility also positions it as a candidate for future export opportunities, as seen in India’s offer of the Dornier 228 to the Malaysian Coast Guard including technology transfer and service support.