IAF to get 25 pilotless combat craft from HAL

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has prepared the aircraft design, while the engine and other items are being produced by HAL.

Mohanty said the advance light helicopter twin engine is also being manufactured by HAL for the Mauritius government which has expressed keenness to buy the aircraft.

HAL here today handed over a Dornier DO-228 maritime aircraft manufactured at its facility in Kanpur to the Mauritius government.

The aircraft key was handed over by Mohanty to R. Gopal Singh, Commissioner of Police of Mauritius, at the Transport Aircraft Division Complex. Mohanty said the agreement to supply the aircraft had been signed during the visit of the Mauritius Prime Minister in November last and added that the aircraft was being delivered two months before the scheduled time.

Meanwhile, Singh said Mauritius had purchased the first Dornier aircraft in 1990 from India and it has proved very useful.

The DO-228 aircraft, which comes equipped with various state-of-the-art equipment, will provide the National Coast Guard of Mauritius the required teeth to safeguard the country’s interest in maritime zones. The National Coast Guard already possesses one DO-228 aircraft exported from HAL.

The ELTA maritime 360 degree radar fitted on the aircraft will enable the National Coast Guard to carry out surveillance over a wide area and detect intrusions and illegal activities, and protect fishery resources as well as organise search and rescue operations. Two 10-men life-rafts have been supplied with the aircraft to aid in search and rescue operations.