On February 12, 2026, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 Aircraft along with Operational Role Equipment for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) under the Buy (Indian) category. Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh was present at the signing in New Delhi. The program aims to generate employment by strengthening HAL's production ecosystem and supporting MSMEs and ancillary industries, and create opportunities in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul and life cycle technical support, in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives to bolster India's maritime security architecture. The release ID is 2227031.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The signing entity for the Rs 2,312 crore contract.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): The contracted entity, specifically the Transport Aircraft Division, for providing Dornier 228 Aircraft.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG): The end-user of the Dornier 228 Aircraft.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The government initiative reinforced by the contract, aiming for self-reliance.
Buy (Indian) category: The procurement category under which the contract falls, promoting domestic sourcing.
Ministry of Defence
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks Rs 2,312 crore
contract with HAL for eight Dornier 228 Aircraft
under Buy (Indian) category
Posted On: 12 FEB 2026 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Transport Aircraft
Division, Kanpur for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 Aircraft along with Operational Role
Equipment for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of Rs 2,312 crore under Buy (Indian) category. The
contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on
February 12, 2026.
The programme is expected to generate significant direct & indirect employment by strengthening the
HAL’s production ecosystem and supporting a broad network of MSMEs & ancillary industries. It will
also create sustained opportunities in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul and life cycle technical support.
The contract reinforces the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India while
bolstering India’s maritime security architecture.
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