The Indian government will present a single Hindustan Aeronautics-built Dornier Do-228 aircraft to the Seychelles air force. The service confirmed media reports in India that it would receive the twin-turboprop as a gift on 31 January.
The media reports said that the Seychelles will receive a second Do-228 in 2014, but the air force said this is not yet 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.
The Seychelles' new Do-228 will be on static display during the Aero India show in Bengaluru from 6-10 February 2013.
Indian media reports quote HAL general manager Kanpur D Balasubramaniyam as saying that the company has produced 117 Do-228s. Customers have included India's armed forces, as well as Afghanistan, Ecuador and Mauritius, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: Flight International