March 12, 2011 -- President James Michel visited the new Seychelles People's Defence Forces Airwing hangar yesterday morning to view the Indian Dornier surveillance aircraft, which is in Seychelles on loan to undertake anti-piracy maritime surveillance for the SPDF, while a new Dornier aircraft is being constructed in India, as part of a donation by the Government of India.

The President was accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner Asit Kumar Nag, the Chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet, the Secretary of State in the Office of the President Barry Faure as well as senior officers of the SPDF as well the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.

"It is very impressive equipment to combat the scourge of piracy. It is a beautiful expression of friendship between India and Seychelles, a partnership that will ensure the continued development of our relations and cooperation as well as security in our region. I thank all the officers from India for helping our forces," said President Michel following the visit.

The aircraft is equipped with a 360 degree surveillance radar spanning 160 sq miles and will greatly enhance the SPDF's surveillance capabilities.

The gifted Dornier aircraft, which is currently under construction at Hindustan Aeronautics, Bangalore, will undergo rigorous testing over a period of 15 to 18 months, and during this time the 33 person Indian air crew will remain for the duration of the loan, in order to operate the aircraft while undertaking the training of local counterparts.

The Indian government would be providing all the maintenance materials and expertise needed, and will also be covering the full costs of the Indian detachment being based with the plane, while the Seychelles Government will bear the operational costs. India is also donating two Chetak helicopters to Seychelles.