India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over two HAL Dornier 228 twin-turboprop STOL utility aircrafts to the Guyana Defense Force (GDF). The arrival of the planes took place at Cheddi Jagan International Airport on April 1, facilitated by two Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport planes. These aircraft, renowned for their Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, are well-suited for Guyana’s diverse terrain. They are earmarked for various military applications, including maritime patrols, resupplying military bases, and troop movement to interior locations.
President Ali had visited the Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company HAL in January 2023. Additionally, Guyana is reportedly exploring further acquisitions, including patrol vehicles, radars, and armored vehicles. This delivery follows recent reports in Indian media indicating the GDF’s intention to acquire two new Dornier 228 aircraft from New Delhi with a $23.27 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of India. An agreement was inked between Guyana’s Finance Minister and the Deputy GM of EXIM Bank, marking India’s first-ever defence loan to a Caribbean country.
The Dornier 228 is a twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft, designed and first manufactured by Dornier GmbH (later DASA Dornier, Fairchild-Dornier) from 1981 until 1998. Two hundred and forty-five were built in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. In 1983, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bought a production licence and manufactured another 125 aircraft in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. In July 2017, 63 aircraft were still in airline service. The fuselage, wings and tail unit are manufactured by HAL in Kanpur, India, and transported to Oberpfaffenhofen, where RUAG Aviation carries out aircraft final assembly.
In 2009, RUAG started building a Dornier 228 New Generation in Germany. The Dornier 228NG uses the same airframe with improved technologies and performances, such as a new five-blade propeller, glass cockpit and longer range. The first delivery was made in September 2010 to a Japanese operator. In late 2017, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a type certificate to the Hindustan 228. The aircraft was so far being manufactured under licence from RUAG for Indian defence forces and European markets would now be allowed to operate in India for commercial purposes.
