Indian Air Force to acquire 14 Dornier planes from HAL

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force will be acquiring 14 Dornier light utility aircraft for Rs 1,090 crore from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL).

Apart from the HAL Do-228 aircraft, the contract includes six reserve engines, one flight simulator and associated equipment, T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL said.

The contract was signed yesterday and the delivery is expected to be completed in the next 3-4 years, sources said.

HAL Do-228 is a multi-purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, light weight twin turboprop aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear.

The cockpit is designed to accommodate two crew members and is fitted with duplicate controls. The cabin can accommodate 19 passengers in commuter configuration.

The Do-228 aircraft will be manufactured by the Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur.

The Division takes care of manufacturing of transport and trainer category of aircraft and has till date manufactured 125 HAL Do-228 aircraft for various defence and other customers.

This aircraft has been exported to Seychelles and Mauritius.

Last year, one Dornier was also supplied to Bangalore based Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) to be used as flying test bed (FTB) for evaluation of performance of various radars being developed by them, an official statement said.

In October, the Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the purchase of another 12 Dornier surveillance aircraft with enhanced sensors for the Navy at a cost of Rs 1,850 crore.