HAL to upgrade 17 Dornier Aircraft at the cost of 950 crore

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HAL
Dornier Aircraft. File Photo

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft manufacturer of India , will carry out the Mid Life Upgrade of 17 Dornier Aircraft of Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

According to a press release the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved it yesterday here in New Delhi. It will cost appoximatele Rs. 950 crore.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is responsible for protecting the national interests in maritime zones of India which entails surveillance of sea areas of approximately 2.01 million square kilometres of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). ICG is also the nodal agency in India for maritime pollution response. The Coast Guard has a fleet of Dornier aircraft which play a pivotal role in maritime surveillance.

In order to enhance the capabilities of the fleet, DAC accorded approval for upgradation of these aircraft with state-of-the-art technology, spares, Special Maintenance Tools (SMT) and Special Test Equipment (STE). The DAC also approved equipping of three aircraft with Pollution Surveillance Systems.