The Defence Ministry announced the signing of a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard at a cost of Rs 2,312 crore. This deal is expected to boost employment opportunities and strengthen HAL’s production ecosystem, benefiting various industries. Additionally, it will create avenues for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul services and life cycle technical support.
The contract, inked under the Buy (Indian) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, underscores the government’s dedication to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Make in India’ initiatives while enhancing India’s maritime security framework. HAL recently reported a robust financial performance for the December quarter of the current fiscal year, with a 29.6% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 1,866.66 crore.
India is set to invest around Rs 65,400 crore ($7.44 billion) by 2035 to advance its aerospace capabilities, particularly in developing and manufacturing fighter jet engines. This strategic move aims to achieve self-reliance in aircraft propulsion, a critical aspect of defense. The plan envisions producing approximately 1,100 engines over the next decade to power a range of Indian fighter jets, including the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.
In a significant shift, India is inviting private enterprises to contribute to fighter jet development, opening up avenues for innovation and growth in the aerospace sector. Collaborating with private and global firms, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will play a key role in sharing the workload and boosting engine production capacity.
