HAL supplies first shipset of the new Dornier 228NG

Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has supplied the first structural shipset for the new Dornier 228NG turboprop. The shipset, comprising fuselage, wings and the empennage, is set to arrive in mid-April at the Ruag plant at Oberpfaffenhofen for final assembly.

The production of the aircraft is being overseen by Ruag Aerospace Services in Germany.

Based on the Dornier 228-212, the 228NG is an updated version of the twin-engine aircraft and features digital avionics and a five-blade composite propeller.

So far ten aircraft are on order, or under option, from customers in Argentina, Australia, Japan and Mexico. Deliveries will start early next year.

Ruag said HAL, which has already built more than 80 Dornier 228s under licence, has shipped the components less than a year after the contract was signed.