Article Posted on : - Nov 29, 2014

HAL built maritime aircraft Dornier. Photo: IAF

NEW DELHI (PTI): India's defence PSU HAL has signed a contract with Mauritius government for supplying the versatile Dornier aircraft to the island nation for maritime surveillance to guard its extensive coastline.

"This contract worth nearly Rs 100 crore gives boost to our export efforts", said R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL.

HAL has fitted several role specific equipment on this aircraft to meet specialized requirement, he added.

In the past, the Company supplied helicopters -- Cheetah, Chetak and Dhruv -- and two Dornier aircraft in maritime version to Mauritius.

The inclusion of Dornier in the National Coast Guard, Mauritius Police Force would result in an extensive enhancement of the present search and rescue capability and provide strategic depth to policing the extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The HAL built maritime aircraft is equipped with combination of 360 degree Surveillance Radar, Forward Looking Infra-Red System, Traffic Collision and Avoidance System, Weather Radar and host of other customer specified sensors.