Defence ministry signs Rs 2,312 cr deal with HAL for 8 Dornier aircraft to boost Coast Guard

NEW DELHI: The ministry of defence on Wednesday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), transport aircraft division, Kanpur, for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft along with Operational Role Equipment for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of Rs 2,312 crore under the Buy (Indian) category. The deal was formalised in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on February 12, 2026.The programme is expected to strengthen HAL’s production ecosystem and support a broad network of MSMEs and ancillary industries, generating significant direct and indirect employment. It will also provide sustained opportunities in maintenance, repair, overhaul, and lifecycle technical support.The contract aligns with the government’s focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make-in-India initiative while enhancing India’s maritime security capabilities.The Dornier 228 aircraft are set to bolster the operational readiness of the Indian Coast Guard, providing modern surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities over India’s maritime domain.