New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) The defence ministry on Friday signed a contract worth over Rs 2,890 crore with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the mid-life upgrade of 25 Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy.
The contract entails incorporating state-of-the-art avionics systems and sensors onboard the aircraft, enhancing their operational capabilities for maritime surveillance, coastal surveillance, electronic intelligence, and other key roles.
The project is set to be completed within six and a half years, with an expected employment generation of 1.8 lakh mandays during its execution span. This initiative aligns with the government’s Make-in-India initiative and aims to boost self-reliance in defence manufacturing by sourcing major systems and equipment from indigenous suppliers.
By upgrading the Dornier aircraft, the Indian Navy will be able to strengthen its capabilities in various critical areas, including search and rescue, medical evacuation, and communication services.
The successful implementation of this upgrade project is expected to significantly contribute to enhancing the country’s maritime domain awareness and strategic defence capabilities.
