Ministry of Defence & HAL Ink Rs 2,312 Cr Aircraft Deal

India’s Ministry of Defence has inked a Rs 2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of eight Dornier 228 aircraft under the Buy (Indian) category.

The agreement was signed on February 12, 2026, in New Delhi, in the presence of the Defense Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and it was a great move in the sphere of domestic defense manufacturing and maritime security improvement.

These eights are Dornier 228 airplanes that will be manufactured by the Transport Aircraft Division at HAL in Kanpur and fitted with operational role equipments of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The procurement will enhance the capabilities of the ICG to perform the Indian extensive coast, search and rescue, and patrol missions over its extensive coastal waters.

Also Read: Skilling India's Workforce: Building a Future-Ready Nation

The agreement supports the government in promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make-in-India program, most of the parts of which are locally sourced. It is likely to enhance the ecosystem of production of HAL and sustain a wide network of MSMEs and ancillary industries. The move will also generate both direct and indirect employment and generate long term employment prospects in maintenance, repair and overhaul services associated with aircraft life cycle.

The Dornier 228 aircraft can be described as a versatile and reliable aircraft when it comes to operations in coastal areas hence it fits perfectly in the multi-mission maritime requirements in India. Increasing fleet of such aircraft is operated by the Indian Coast Guard and this new contract has boosted the airborne patrol and response of the Indian Coast Guard immensely.

The following contract provides an assurance of India to develop defense capabilities with local technology and production as central core, and increasing awareness on the maritime domain and guaranteeing the speed in response to any threats such as smuggling, piracy and emergency in the sea.