Platform profile · India · Twin-turboprop light transport and maritime-surveillance aircraft · Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Dornier Do-228
SignedMoD signed a Rs 2,312 crore contract for eight Coast Guard Do-228s with operational-role equipment on 2026-02-12.
In February 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 2,312 crore contract with HAL for eight Dornier 228 aircraft and operational-role equipment for the Indian Coast Guard. The Indian Navy's 25-aircraft fleet entered a Rs 2,890 crore mid-life-upgrade programme contracted in March 2024, covering new avionics and primary sensors. Separate 2023 contracts added six upgraded aircraft for the Indian Air Force and two maritime-equipped aircraft for the Coast Guard. HAL builds the aircraft at Kanpur for route transport, pilot training, maritime surveillance, search and rescue and electronic-warfare support, with service-specific sensors and mission systems. The Do-228 therefore provides India an indigenous, relatively light platform that can sustain coastal surveillance and connectivity from short or semi-prepared runways.
Updated 12 Feb 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | 19 ↗ |
| Wingspan | 16.97 m ↗ |
| Overall length | 16.56 m ↗ |
| Overall height | 4.86 m ↗ |
| Engines | 2 Garrett TPE 331-5-252D turboprops ↗ |
| Take-off power | 2 x 715 shp, flat-rated to ISA +18 C ↗ |
| Fuel capacity | 2,850 L (2,250 kg) ↗ |
| Maximum take-off weight, maritime version | 6,400 kg ↗ |
| Maximum cruise speed | 428 km/h ↗ |
| Maximum rate of climb | 9.7 m/s ↗ |
Spec sources: hal-india.co.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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MoD signed a Rs 2,312 crore Buy (Indian) contract with HAL's Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, for eight Do-228s and operational-role equipment for the Indian Coast Guard.
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Indian Navy Dornier IN 234 was handed over at Kochi to the Sri Lankan Air Force on a yearly turnaround basis for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue duties.
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MoD signed a Rs 2,890 crore contract with HAL for the mid-life upgrade of 25 Indian Navy Dornier aircraft, including new avionics and primary sensors, with execution over 6.5 years.
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MoD signed a Rs 458.87 crore contract with HAL for two upgraded Coast Guard Dorniers with glass cockpits, maritime-patrol radar, EO/IR devices and mission-management systems.
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MoD signed a Rs 667 crore contract for six IAF Do-228s with upgraded fuel-efficient engines and five-blade composite propellers for transport, communication and pilot-training roles.
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An Indian Navy Dornier was handed to Sri Lanka for a two-year deployment and formally inducted by the Sri Lankan Air Force for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue work.
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The Navy commissioned INAS 314 at Porbandar; the squadron became the first to operate four of the 12 new Dorniers fitted with glass cockpits, advanced radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking.
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The first two aircraft from the Indian Navy's 12-aircraft new-Dornier contract were formally inducted at HAL Kanpur with updated surveillance sensors.
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HAL announced a roughly Rs 1,090 crore contract to supply 14 Do-228s, six reserve engines, a flight simulator and associated equipment to the Indian Air Force.
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