An official ceremony was conducted at the Maritime Air Squadron of the Mauritius National Coast Guard at Plaisance/Sir Seewoosagur International Airport on September 13 to hand over a Passenger Variant Dornier (PVD) on lease from the Indian Navy.

The Dornier 228-201, wearing Mauritius Coast Guard titles and marked as MSN4059, representing its construction number, was previously operated by the Indian Navy with serial number IN231. It has been presented on a free-of-charge lease to the Mauritius Police Force by the Indian Navy to support an increased air operations requirement. With no real threat in the region, Mauritius has no army or specific military force and the National Police Force undertakes all military and security functions, including overseeing operations by the Coast Guard.

Next year, a brand-new PVD Dornier 228 will be delivered to Mauritius by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. This aircraft has been purchased through a Line of Credit between India and Mauritius under an agreement signed during hand-over of the leased Dornier. In addition, during a meeting between Indian External Affairs minister S Jaishankar and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravin Jugnauth in February this year, a deal was signed on military equipment procurement. As part of the agreement, the Indian government will loan a single Dhruv helicopter to boost the Coast Guard’s maritime surveillance capabilities.