The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) on Friday for Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,890 crore.

The MLU for Dornier aircraft includes an upgrade to incorporate state-of-the art avionics systems and primary role sensors.

The MoD said that 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 or casualty evacuation and communication link.

“Mid-Life Upgrade of 25 Dornier aircraft is likely to generate an employment of 1.8 lakh man-days during its execution span of 6.5 years,” a ministry official added.

The indigenous upgrade entails supply of major systems and equipment from indigenous sources, thus significantly contributing towards Atmanirbharta in defence.