Dornier 228 NG ~ Purchased from Germany principally to be used as a light transport aircraft in the IAF, they are used in a variety of roles such as maritime patrol, search & rescue and reconnaissance in the Navy and in the Coast Guard. Both services operates 24 examples each of the type. The Do-228s complement the Tu-142 and the Il-38, in the maritime surveillance role, and are used to patrol coastal areas as well. In March 2005, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the induction of eleven Do-228-101 aircraft for the Indian Navy. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated that the purchase of these aircraft along with spares, engines, ground support equipment and operational role equipment would cost Rs 726 crore including a foreign exchange component of Rs 431.65 crore. He also mentioned that these aircraft will be used for maritime surveillance.
No.310 Cobras Squadron was re-commissioned, with six Do-228 aircraft, in the IW (Information Warfare) role. The squadron is based at INS Hansa at Dabolim, Goa and is used in the ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) role. A press release from the MoD, dated 17 August 2005, stated that the Indian Navy acquired ten Do-228 aircraft from November 1998 to December 1999, for a cost of Rs 388.30 crore. HAL has received a $72 million order for seven license-built Do-228-101 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from the Coast Guard. They are likely to be supplemented by an additional 12 aircraft, in the follow-on five-year plan period after 2007. Deliveries were expected to commence in 2001 and was expected to take two years to complete. To date, there have been no confirmed reports from the Indian Coast Guard or HAL indicating that deliveries have taken place.*
"As the acquisition process will take time, we (India) want to have 12 twin-engine helicopters on lease for the Coast Guard. The US has offered to lease out its Coast Guard helicopters to us," a senior Defence Ministry official said here today.
However, India has also got some offers from within the country. But it has to be seen if these civilian helicopters would meet the Coast Guard's military needs, the official said.
Under the fast-track acquisition process, the Coast Guard was asked by the government to purchase 12 Dornier transport aircraft for medium-range surveillance activities and the proposal has been approved already.
"The purchase of 12 dorniers for the Coast Guard has been approved and government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will supply five Dorniers by this year end," the official said, when asked about the fast-track acquisition process in the wake of the 26/11 attacks.
The 12 twin-engine helicopters to be leased were meant to augment the Dornier fleet for surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
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