Article Posted on : - Feb 06, 2015

BENGALURU (PTI): State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has bagged a major defence contract, valued at around Rs 1,090 crore, that includes supply of 14 Do-228 aircraft produced by the company to the Indian Air Force.

"Apart from these aircraft, the contract valued at around Rs 1,090 crore, includes six reserve engines, one flight simulator and associated equipment," HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju said in a release on Thursday.

"This also reflects the trust of defence customers on HAL and we remain committed to supporting Indian Defence Services for all their needs," he added.

HAL said Do-228 aircraft will be manufactured by the Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur. The division has expertise in manufacturing of transport and trainer category of aircraft and has till date manufactured 125 HAL Do-228 aircraft for various defence and other customers.

This aircraft has been exported to Seychelles and Mauritius. Last year, one Dornier was also supplied to Bangalore based Electronics and Radar Development Establishment to be used as flying test bed for evaluation of performance of various radars being developed by them, it added.

Stating that HAL Do-228 is a highly reliable, multi purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, light weight twin turboprop aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear, the company said the cockpit is designed to accommodate two crew members and is fitted with duplicate controls.

HAL has fitted several role specific equipment on this aircraft to meet the specialised requirement of its customers, the release said.

To keep the aircraft contemporary with latest technology developments, HAL continuously strives through its strong research and design base, to develop and integrate new modifications, it added.