The Ministry of Defence entered into an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 15, 2024, for the Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft and associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs.2,890 cr.
The MLU for Dornier Aircraft will involve an upgrade to integrate state-of-the-art Avionics Systems and Primary Role sensors. This enhancement will greatly improve the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft for tasks such as Maritime Surveillance, Coastal Surveillance, Electronic Intelligence, and the development of Maritime Domain Awareness. Furthermore, this upgrade will allow Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out Secondary Roles like Search and Rescue, Medical/Casualty Evacuation, and Communication Link.
The Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft is expected to create job opportunities for 1.8 Lakh Man-days over a period of 6.5 years. The indigenous upgrade involves the supply of major systems and equipment from local sources, thereby making a significant contribution to “Atmanirbharta” in Defence, aligning with the Make-in-India initiative of the Government of India.