Port Louis/New Delhi, April 28 (FN Agency) In another milestone in India-Mauritius relations, a new Dornier aircraft and a leased Advanced Light Helicopter from India were commissioned into the Mauritius police force to enhance the Indian Ocean island nation’s surveillance capabilities over its maritime zone. The Indian High Commission in Port Louis in a tweet said the commissioning event was held on Wednesday at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance, in the presence of Prime Minister Pravind K Jugnauth. “Another milestone in the India-Mauritius relationship. “Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth commissioned the newly procured PVD under the Indian LOC & received the leased ALH Dhruv from India. “The platforms will enhance the operational capabilities of Mauritius Police Force and help them in catering to ever-increasing maritime challenges in the IOR.” The two aircraft have been commissioned into the Maritime Air Squadron of the Mauritius Police Force (MPF). The event was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Alan Ganoo; High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, K. Nandini Singla; the Commissioner of Police, Anil Kumar Dip, besides other eminent personalities. In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth commended Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for having delivered the Passenger Variant Dornier (PVD) well ahead of schedule.
He said the commissioning ceremony is a milestone in his Government’s endeavour to protect the country’s territorial integrity and to enhance the operational capabilities of the police force. He described the event as a landmark in the longstanding relationship between Mauritius and India and a symbol of the fruitful collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force. The MPF through the newly acquired PVD aircraft, is expanding its resources so as to achieve the vision of a crime-free Mauritius and effective service delivery. The new PVD, constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and financed under the Indian line of credit, will play a critical role in securing our maritime zone and will also transform the National Coast Guard (NCG) capabilities to extend support to outer islands, he said. Prime Minister Jugnauth observed that the aircraft has maritime surveillance capabilities and would be a pivotal element for the NCG to conduct surveillance up to the very fringes of the maritime zone. The new aircraft has greater endurance, augmented load carriage capacity blended with low operating costs and provides ease of access for all maintenance and safety checks. It can be configured for multiple roles such as air ambulance and search and rescue, in addition to being used as a neonatal intensive care unit, he said. Speaking about the lease of the Advanced Light Helicopter from India to the Police Helicopter Squadron, the PM Jugnauth said it will bring a major boost in the fight against crime with an increased use of technology intensive equipment by the MPF.
He said his Government is working on the project to replace the existing coastal surveillance radar stations across Mauritius with state-of-the-art equipment. The Mauritius Police Helicopter Squadron will also receive an Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the coming years, he said, adding that the induction of these modern types of aircraft is another evidence that Mauritius’ ties with India are getting stronger by the day. All present and future acquisitions, he stressed, demonstrate the shared commitment of Mauritius and India for peace and security in the Indian Ocean. He thanked the Government of India for its steadfast support and contribution towards the maritime security of Mauritius. He added that both maritime and air connectivity have been upgraded and improved so as to further support socio-economic development on the island of Agalega. With the commissioning of the new PVD aircraft MPCG-5 from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the Maritime Air Squadron of the police are now equipped with three Dornier aircraft in its inventory with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors, a report said. The PVD aircraft can be deployed at extended ranges in all weather conditions. The aircraft is equipped with a novel glass cockpit, new generation TPE 331-10 engines and modern 5-bladed propellers.