MoD signs contract worth over Rs. 2,890 cr with HAL for Mid Life Upgrade of 25 Dornier Aircraft of Indian Navy
Posted On: 15 MAR 2024 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 15, 2024 for Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs.2,890 cr.
The MLU for Dornier Aircraft includes an upgrade to incorporate state-of-the art Avionics Systems and Primary Role sensors. The upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform Primary Roles of Maritime Surveillance, Coastal Surveillance, Electronic Intelligence and development of Maritime Domain Awareness. In addition, this upgrade will also enable Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out Secondary Roles of Search and Rescue, Medical/Casualty Evacuation and Communication Link.
Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft is likely to generate an employment of 1.8 Lakh Man- days during its execution span of 6.5 years. The indigenous upgrade entails supply of major systems and equipments from indigenous sources thus significantly contributing towards "Atmanirbharta" in Defence, in consonance with Make-in-India initiative of Government of India.
Dornier Do-228 in Navy, History
In the early ’80s, the IN was on the lookout for a Short-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft as well. In1983, HAL bought a production licence for the manufacture of the Dornier 228 aircraft and began production at its Kanpur facility in 1985.The induction of the SRMR Dornier 228 in 1991,gave the IN’s MR fleet a further boost. These HAL aircraft continue to steadfastly meet all the IN’s air surveillance and reconnaissance requirements ,including coastal security missions.
Since late 1980s, a total of thirty-eight Dornier aircraft have been procured by the IN under four different contracts. Before the commencement of the decade (2011-21), twenty-six Dornier aircraft were procured through three separate contracts in1989 (five aircraft), 1999 (ten aircraft) and 2005(eleven aircraft).
Following the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai on 26 November, major impetus was given to enhance coastal security. A contract for the supply of twelve Maritime Reconnaissance InformationWarfare (MRIW) Dorniers was signed with HAL(Transport Aircraft Division) in December 2016.The induction of these additional Dornier aircraft with latest versions of Maritime Patrol Radar Elta Version 3, AES 212 (ESM), Traffic Alert andCollision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) 100, Electro-Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR), Weather Radar andCommunication systems was completed in 2018–20.
In the early ’80s, the IN was on the lookout for a Short-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft as well. In1983, HAL bought a production licence for the manufacture of the Dornier 228 aircraft and began production at its Kanpur facility in 1985.The induction of the SRMR Dornier 228 in 1991,gave the IN’s MR fleet a further boost. These HAL aircraft continue to steadfastly meet all the IN’s air surveillance and reconnaissance requirements ,including coastal security missions.
Since late 1980s, a total of thirty-eight Dornier aircraft have been procured by the IN under four different contracts. Before the commencement of the decade (2011-21), twenty-six Dornier aircraft were procured through three separate contracts in1989 (five aircraft), 1999 (ten aircraft) and 2005(eleven aircraft).
Following the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai on 26 November, major impetus was given to enhance coastal security. A contract for the supply of twelve Maritime Reconnaissance InformationWarfare (MRIW) Dorniers was signed with HAL(Transport Aircraft Division) in December 2016.The induction of these additional Dornier aircraft with latest versions of Maritime Patrol Radar Elta Version 3, AES 212 (ESM), Traffic Alert andCollision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) 100, Electro-Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR), Weather Radar andCommunication systems was completed in 2018–20.
The squadron nicknamed #Harpoons, operates the Sea King Mk 42 B #ASW helicopters that can undertake maritime surveillance and are equipped with torpedoes, missiles and depth charges. The helicopters aptly enjoy the sobriquet of ‘The Flying Frigate’.
Indian Naval Air Squadron 330 celebrated its 53rd anniversary on 17 Apr. The squadron was commissioned in 1971 and was baptised by fire during the #1971 #IndoPak war.
Source
Indian Naval Air Squadron 330 celebrated its 53rd anniversary on 17 Apr. The squadron was commissioned in 1971 and was baptised by fire during the #1971 #IndoPak war.
Source
Mk42C to replace them in Vizag.
The Mk42B converted to transport role will likely replace the Mk42C in Mumbai.
The Mk42B converted to transport role will likely replace the Mk42C in Mumbai.
Indian Defence Ministry's Acquisition Council to pave way for purchase of 26 Rafale Marines
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(…) Contract negotiations with Dassault Aviation [not to mention Thales and Safran] were opened by the Indian side last November, via the submission of a “letter of request”. In July, the Economic Times reported that discussions focused on the value of the contract, then estimated at just over €6 billion. “The French offer includes options to integrate Indian weapons, including the Astra air-to-air missile, as well as India-specific improvements and other related equipment,” the daily specified.
Did the Indian negotiators obtain a discount on this offer? In any case, on September 3, the Acquisition Council of the Indian Ministry of Defense is due to meet to approve the purchase of the 26 Rafale M. However, this does not mean that a contract will be signed immediately. Since the Indian procedure is relatively complicated, it will then be up to a “cost negotiation committee” to decide on this matter. This is indeed what The Hindustan Times explained.
Furthermore, the daily also specified that the DAC would abandon the project to integrate an experimental AESA [active antenna] radar developed by the DRDO [the Indian equivalent of the DGA, editor's note] on the Rafale M because "the cost is prohibitive" and that this would further delay the purchase of the embarked fighter-bombers.
"The Indian Navy needs the Rafale-M for its last aircraft carrier INS Vikrant" in view of "the deterioration of the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific", it writes. Hence, moreover, the imminent green light for the construction of the 8 "advanced stealth frigates" of the 17B project, for more than 7 billion euros.
/deepl
Interesting Podcast on the evolution of Indian Naval Aviation . You maybe interested I imagine as one of our earliest procurements to replace the Sea Hawks aboard the HMS Hercules / INS Vikrant were the Bréguet Alizé . @Picdelamirand-oil
