India Deploys P-8I Submarine-Hunting Surveillance Aircraft to Seychelles

The Indian Navy has dispatched the P-8I Neptune, to Seychelles for aerial surveillance of the island nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the firs time.
The aircraft has been deployed since March 20 to conduct surveillance flights until March 23.
thediplomat

HAL awarded contract for 14 Do-228s for Indian Air Force

HAL has been awarded a contract to provide 14 Do-228 twin-turboprop light transport and utility aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The contract, includes six spare engines, one flight simulator, and associated equipment.
The Do-228s will join 40 that began to enter IAF service in 1987.
HAL has licence-built 125 Do-228s for a variety of customers, including the Indian Navy and coastguard, and Seychelles and Mauritius.
janes

Denmark maritime patrol aircraft joins Operation Ocean Shield

A Challenger (CL-604) maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) is currently supporting NATO's counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield Task Force 508 (CTF-508).
The Danish aircraft is stationed in the Seychelles with aircrew and 21-strong support team.
This is the fourth time the Royal Danish Air Force is participating in the counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. The aircraft is equipped with radar to conduct surveillance over sea as well as an infrared and optical camera to collect intelligence about Somali pirates’ activities.
defenceweb

Air Force may move drones, personnel inside Niger

The Air Force may redeploy its remotely piloted aircraft in Niger, moving the drones to a remote area in the Sahara to better position them to watch Islamic militants in the area.
Last year, the Air Force deployed about 100 airmen and remotely piloted aircraft to Niamey in the southwestern region of Niger to “provide support for intelligence collection and ... facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in Mali”. The deployment included Air Force security forces to protect the aircraft.
U.S. Africa Command is looking to move the aircraft about 450 miles north to Agadez. That city of in the northern part of the country has a small airstrip on its southern edge.
The move is at the request of, and in coordination with the government of Niger and the Nigerian Armed Forces, AFRICOM.
This location would be closer for crews to keep an eye on militants spreading in Libya to the north. Nigeria agreed to the U.S. presence to help secure the country’s borders against jihadist infiltrations from Libya.
Aircraft would still operate at the Niamey base.
The Air Force, on Aug. 21, posted a solicitation for 18 shelter systems to house U.S. aircraft and personnel in in Agadez. Earlier solicitations sought jet fuel and runway repair in the area. The move would not fully take place until the infrastructure at the base is ready.
U.S. drones have also been deployed to N’Djamena, Chad, and bases in the Horn of Africa and the Seychelles. Additional surveillance flights over Libya are flown from bases in Italy.
airforcetimes

Luxembourg takes over Op Atalanta airborne patrol duties

At the end of February the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA) detachment returns to the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta counter piracy mission.
The Benelux country takes over maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties from the Swedish Coast Guard MPRA unit operating from the Seychelles.
During previous deployments with EU NAVFOR, the two Luxembourg Merlin IIIC maritime patrol aircraft flew 775 missions, totalling 4,500 flying hours. These missions covered counter piracy sea searches, information gathering and vessel escorts.
In their previous deployment the aircraft were involved in over more than 50 maritime incidents; including detection of pirate action groups at sea, guiding EU NAVFOR and other counter piracy forces towards suspicious activity as well as providing imagery of piracy related incidents.
The acting detachment commander said: “We are pleased to have returned to the EU Naval Force mission. All members of the Luxembourg detachment recognise the importance of contributing to the overall counter piracy effort in the Somali Basin.”
defenceweb

India Hands Over A Dornier Surveillance Aircraft to Seychelles

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony handed over a Dornier surveillance aircraft to the Foreign Minister of Seychelles Mr. Jean Paul Adam at a function here today. The maritime surveillance aircraft will be used to guard the extensive coastline of the island nation in the Indian Ocean. The Dornier 228 manufactured by the defence public sector undertaking, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) will also be supported by the HAL team for maintenance on site to enable the new user to get the requisite expertise.

defencetalk