Aviation News – The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a pivotal ₹2,312 crore (approximately USD 280 million) contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of eight Dornier Do228 aircraft. This strategic move aims to significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) aerial surveillance and maritime patrol capabilities across the nation’s vast coastline.
The contract, formalised on 12 February 2026 in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, falls under the “Buy (Indian)” procurement category. This agreement reinforces the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, with the aircraft set to be manufactured at HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur. The ICG currently operates a fleet of roughly 40 Dornier aircraft; the most recent expansion occurred in January 2026, when two newly built units were inducted into Coast Guard Air Squadron (CGAS) 744 in Chennai to monitor the Bay of Bengal.
The Dornier Do228 is a highly versatile, twin-engine turboprop celebrated for its Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, making it ideal for operating from semi-prepared airfields. These new units will be equipped with advanced operational role equipment, including specialized sensors for maritime reconnaissance, pollution monitoring, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. Technically, the aircraft acts as a force multiplier by providing persistent maritime domain awareness and a rapid response platform for anti-smuggling and environmental protection tasks.