India to give Do-228 aircraft to Seychelles

photo hal-india.com

Jan. 25, 2013 by Greg Waldron – FG

Singapore - The Indian government will present a single Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd-built Dornier Do-228 aircraft to the Seychelles air force.

The Seychelles air force confirmed media reports in India that it would receive the twin-turboprop as a gift on 31 January.

The media reports said that Seychelles will receive a second Do-228 in 2014, but the air force said a second aircraft is not confirmed.

The Seychelles air force will operate the Do-228 in the counter piracy patrol role. Its other fixed wing assets include a Harbin Y-12 that is used as a light transport, and a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter used as a patrol aircraft.

HAL has provided training for Seychelles air crew in Kanpur, where it produces transport aircraft.

Seychelles's new Do-228 will be on static display during the Aero India show in Bengaluru from 6 to 10 February 2013.

Indian media reports quote HAL general manager Kanpur D Balasubramaniyam as saying that the company has produced 117 Do-228s. Customers include India's armed forces as well as South Africa, Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Ecuador and Mauritius.