Second Dornier aircraft arrives to boost maritime surveillance |30 June 2018

The second Dornier aircraft given to Seychelles by the government of India arrived in the country on Thursday at 12.35pm after 15 hours flight.

The HAL-DO-228(SEY011) surveillance aircraft was handed over to President Danny Faure on the morning of June 26, 2018 by the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, at the Indian Naval Air Station, New Delhi.

Like all new planes that land at Seychelles International Airport, the Dornier received a water canon salute upon arrival.

Present to welcome the plane at the Seychelles Air Force (SAF) base at the Seychelles International Airport were the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Leopold Payet; Chief of Staff Colonel Michael Rosette; Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Clifford Roseline; Commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Colonel Simon Dine; Commanding Officer of SAF Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pouponneau and other high and lower rank personnel of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF).

The plane, under the command of Captain Don Du Preez (pilot), Lieutenant Julio Hoareau (co-pilot) and Lance-Corporal Christian Bau (engineer), had left the Indian Naval Air Station, New Delhi, immediately after having been handed over and it flew to Bangalore for an overnight stay and continued to Maldives on the morning of June 27 for another night stop over. HAL-DO-228(SEY011) surveillance aircraft then took its final journey on Thursday morning for the final five and a half hour flight to Seychelles.

Lieutenant Colonel Pouponneau said the plane will mostly be posted on designated islands of the southern region of our economic zone for maritime surveillance and respond purposes.

“This will facilitate faster response in the event of a maritime emergency compared to the response coming from Mahé. That will save us on operational and fuel costs,” Lt Col. Pouponneau added.

Lt Hoareau said that apart from some turbulence in India, the rest of the flight part was smooth.

Upon being cleared by custom and health officers, the plane was blessed by the chaplain of SPDF, Deacon Louis Agathine and there after the military officers visited the interior.   

The Dornier-228, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is equipped with combination of 360 degree surveillance radar, forward looking infra-red system, satellite communication, traffic collision and aeronautic systems, enhanced ground proximity warning system and other specialised sensors. It is a high wing monoplane with a cantilevered wing and two turbo engines in wing-mounted pod. With the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit, the cabin can accommodate 19 passengers in commuter configuration.

The public got the chance to see the new Dornier in an air show yesterday afternoon as it flew over Stad Linite during the military parade to mark our National Day. The first Dornier was given to the government of Seychelles by the government of India in 2013.

The accompanying photographs were taken during the ceremony to welcome the Dornier to Seychelles.