HAL gets IAF order for 14 Dornier aircraft

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Thursday said it has secured a Rs.1,090-crore contract to supply 14 Dornier multi-purpose aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"The contract includes delivering six reserve engines, a flight simulator and associated equipment along with the aircraft," the defence behemoth said in a statement here.

The company's transport division in Kanpur will manufacture the turboprop utility aircraft (Do-228), as it has expertise in producing transport and trainer category of aircraft under a production license from German aerospace firm Dornier GmbH.

"The renewed order reflects the trust customers like IAF have on us, who are committed to support the defence services for all their needs," HAL chairman T. Suvarna Raju said.

The Kanpur division has manufactured 125 Dorniers for defence and civil customers over the last two decades. The aircraft was also exported to Seychelles and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean region.

A Do-228 was supplied to the state-run Electronics and Radar Development (LRDE) here for using as a flying test bed to evaluate its radars.

As a reliable, fuel-efficient and light weight twin aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear, Dornier has the capacity to fly 19 passengers in commuter configuration, with two crew members in the cockpit.

The versatility of Dornier reveals highest fuel carrying capacity (2,850 litres) under its wings, low structural weight because of advanced composite materials, short take-off and landing capability.

"The aircraft can take off from 700 metres and land within 575 meters, required for operations from short and semi-prepared airfields. Sturdy landing gears, rectangular cabin offering more head space for passengers and mounting space for equipment in case of special mission configuration as opposed to circular cabin, low floor level and wide door for easy loading/unloading of cargo," the statement said.

The company has also fitted specific equipment in the aircraft to meet the special needs of its customers.