Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria inducted light utility Dornier aircraft into the 41 Squadron, which flew Otters, during a ceremony at the Air Force Station in Palam on Tuesday.

The modified Dornier 228 aircraft have been acquired to undertake in-house calibration of navigational aids available after the implementation of modernised airfield infrastructure at IAF bases.

The IAF in 2015 had signed a contract to purchase 14 Dornier aircraft, which are flight inspection system planes, for Rs 1,090 crore from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

"While the first aircraft was delivered on November 19, the second is expected to be delivered in early 2020," IAF said in a statement.

The 19-seater HAL Dornier 228 aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport, third level services and air-taxi operations, coast guard duties and maritime surveillance.ians