HAL bags Rs 1,090 cr defence contract

Chairman T Suvarna Raju says contract includes six reserve engines, one flight simulator and associated equipment

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged a contract for supplying 14 Do-228 aircraft, valued around Rs 1,090 crore from the Indian Air Force. “The contract includes six reserve engines, one flight simulator and associated equipment,” said T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL, in a statement on Thursday.

HAL Do-228 aircraft will be manufactured by the Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur. The division has manufactured 125 HAL Do-228 aircraft for various defence customers and other clients till date. This aircraft has also been exported to Seychelles and Mauritius.

Last year, one Dornier was supplied to the Bengaluru-based Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) to be used as a flying test bed (FTB) for the evaluation of performance of various radars being developed by them.

HAL Do-228 is a multi-purpose 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 a commuter configuration. HAL has customised the aircraft for specific roles, the release said.