HAL secures Rs 2,312 crore defence ministry order for eight Dornier 228 aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd on Thursday said it has received a Rs 2,312 crore contract from the Ministry of Defence for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft.

The contract was signed with HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur and includes the supply of operational role equipment for the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy Indian category.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

HAL said the programme is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment by strengthening its production ecosystem and supporting a wide network of micro, small, and medium enterprises and ancillary industries. The project will also create long-term opportunities in maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities, along with life cycle technical support. The company said the order underlines the government’s focus on self-reliance and Make in India, while enhancing India’s maritime security capabilities.

Separately, HAL last week clarified that five Tejas Mk 1A fighter aircraft are fully ready for handover to the Indian Air Force, with nine more jets already built and flight tested. The clarification came after a media report suggested deliveries could face further delays. HAL said the aircraft meets contracted specifications and will be delivered once the pending engines from GE are received.

In September last year, HAL secured a Rs 62,370 crore contract from the Defence Ministry for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A to the Indian Air Force.

For the third quarter of FY26, HAL reported a 10.7 percent rise in revenue to Rs 7,699 crore and a 29.6 percent increase in net profit to Rs 1,867 crore. HAL shares closed 0.63 percent higher at Rs 4,158.90 on the NSE on Thursday.