India Gifts HAL Do -228 Aircraft to Seychelles

By Editor 19-Jul-2018

News

The External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, handed over HAL Do- 228 aircraft to Danny Faure, President, Republic of Seychelles, at a ceremony in New Delhi. With this, the Maritime surveillance of the island nation received the much-needed boost.

Appreciating India’s support, Danny Faure described the `momentous occasion’ as historical day and said that the inclusion of HAL Do-228 aircraft would bolster the coastal surveillance of Seychelles and provide strategic depth to policing its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The aircraft has been flown on the 42nd Independence Day of Seychelles on June 29, signifying the strong relations between the two countries.

Describing the event yet another milestone in furthering bilateral defence cooperation between India and Seychelles, Sushma Swaraj said, “The handing over of HAL Do 228 to Seychelles reflects the firm commitment and continued engagement of the Government of India in further developing, consolidating and expanding the comprehensive multifaceted cooperation between India and Seychelles”. Mrs Swaraj also handed over airworthiness certificate of the aircraft to the President of Seychelles.

General (Dr) V K Singh (Retd) Union Minister of State for External Affairs, who was present on the occasion, handed over the symbolic key to the President of Seychelles.

T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL hailed the event as `proud moment’ for HAL as the aircraft has been delivered ahead of schedule and accepted by the Seychelles Air Force. “We have provided hands-on training to the pilots and technical staff from Seychelles.  We are committed to extend full-fledged support to the teams involved with its maintenance and operations of the aircraft”, he added.

The Do-228, manufactured by HAL is equipped with combination of 360 deg Surveillance Radar, Forward Looking Infra-Red System, Satellite Communication, Traffic Collision and Avoidance System, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System and host of other customer specified sensors.