Defence Ministry inks contract with HAL to procure 6 Dornier aircraft: The defence ministry signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to purchase six Dornier aircraft for the Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs 667 crore. The addition of the six aircraft will further bolster the operational capability of the IAF in remote areas, the defence ministry said announcing the contract.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
More About This Contract:
The aircraft was used by IAF for route transport roles and communication duties. Subsequently, it has also been used for training of transport pilots of the IAF.
The aircraft is ideal for short-haul flights from semi-prepared and short runways in India’s North East and island chains.
About The Dornier-228 aircraft:
- The Dornier-228 is a multi-purpose light transport aircraft with a high degree of versatility.
- It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport as well as for maritime surveillance.
- The aircraft will have an upgraded fuel-efficient engine coupled with a five-bladed composite propeller, the ministry said.
Indian Air Force and HAL:
The Dornier order for HAL follows a defence ministry contract for 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft worth Rs. 6,838 crore. The new trainer aircraft, a longstanding need, will provide a boost to the ab initio training of air force pilots. Basic trainers figure on the long list of weapons and systems that India has imposed an import ban on during the last 30 months. HAL will supply the IAF with Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes over a six-year period.
