![Ministry of Defence [MoD] Invests in Upgrading Indian Navy’s Dornier Aircraft](https://newsstreetasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/HAL.webp)
The Ministry of Defence (MoD), has made a significant deal that will help in strengthening the maritime assets of India by contract worth over INR 2,890 Cr with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will mainly finance the upgrade and modification work of the HAL-supplied aircraft in the MCA. The contract entered into on March 15th, 2024, between the 2 parties is going to retrofit the 25-Dornier aircraft owned by the Indian Navy.
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Modernizing India’s Maritime Fleet
The MLU project for Dornier aircraft involves a comprehensive upgrade, incorporating state-of-the-art avionics systems and primary role sensors. This upgrade is set to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy’s Dornier fleet, enabling them to effectively perform critical tasks such as maritime surveillance, coastal surveillance, electronic intelligence and strengthening maritime domain awareness.
Versatile Capabilities for Varied Missions
Apart from boosting the common roles, the advanced Dornier aircraft will also be able to perform assigned roles simultaneously without losing touch with the primary roles. In that subdivision of duties, the two missions are medical/casualty evacuation, search and rescue as well as link communications.
Boosting Employment Opportunities and Indigenous Manufacturing
The MLU project for 25 Dornier Aircraft is expected to create a substantial employment opportunity, generating around 1.8 lakh man-days over the span of 6.5 years during its execution. Furthermore, the indigenous nature of the upgrade underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production, aligning seamlessly with the Make-in-India initiative championed by the Government of India.
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Towards Atmanirbharta in Defence
With a focus on sourcing key systems and equipment domestically, the project not only enhances India’s defence capabilities but also promotes self-reliance (“Atmanirbharta”) in the defence sector. The collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and HAL marks a concerted effort towards strengthening India’s defence infrastructure while promoting indigenous innovation and manufacturing at the same time.
This strategic investment in upgrading the Dornier Aircraft reaffirms India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and fortifying its defence capabilities in the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
