Indian Air Force to get 6 more Dornier-228 planes, HAL and MoD sign contract

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for the procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Air Force from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at a cost of Rs 667 crore. The Dornier-228 has been a reliable workhorse for the IAF for years, used primarily for route transport and communication duties, as well as training transport pilots. The six new aircraft will come equipped with upgraded fuel-efficient engines and a five-bladed composite propeller, making them even more effective for short-haul operations from semi-prepared or short runways. This is particularly important for the North East and island chains of India, where these types of operations are frequently required. With the addition of these six new aircraft, the IAF's operational capability in remote areas will be further bolstered, the defence ministry said.