HAL’s Dornier Do-228 is a multi-role light transport aircraft. Credit: Indian Ministry of Defence/Press Information Bureau/Indian Air Force.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with state-owned company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the delivery of Dornier Do-228 aircraft.

Announced on 10 March, the new contract has an estimated value of approximately $81.47m (Rs6.67bn).

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Under this contract, HAL will deliver a total of six additional Do-228 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Each new aircraft will feature upgraded and fuel-efficient engines, as well as a five-bladed composite propeller.

This type of aircraft is mainly suitable for carrying out short-haul operations, which are primarily performed from the semi-prepared or short runways of India’s island chains and Northeast region.

Once delivered, the new Dornier fleet will boost the IAF’s operational capabilities to undertake missions in the country’s remote areas.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Besides, the six new twin-turboprop short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft will further enhance the overall readiness of the IAF fleet. 

HAL’s Dornier Do-228 is a multi-role light transport aircraft that has been designed and developed mainly to meet the existing and emerging needs of the air forces for transport infrastructure and other utility operations.

According to the company, the 19-seater Do-228 aircraft can also be used for supporting maritime surveillance, aerial surveys, search and rescue, causality evacuation, executive transport, pollution prevention as well as other cargo and logistics support missions.

At present, the Do-228 aircraft fleet is used by the IAF to conduct a wide range of operations, including communication duties and route transport missions.

Dornier-228 is also deployed to train the IAF’s future transport pilots.

In 2015, HAL received a contract to deliver 14 additional Do-228 aircraft to the IAF.

The Indian MoD also delivered the same aircraft to the Republic of Seychelles’ Air Force in 2018.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact