RUAG Aviation has secured an Asian order for a single  turboprop, gradually increasing the number of sales achieved since the manufacturer opted to start production of the modernised type.

The customer's identity has not been disclosed, but RUAG says it will deliver the passenger aircraft in the second half of 2013.

"We have seen significant interest in the Asian market for our modern aircraft," says RUAG Aerospace Services managing director Alexander Müller.

The 228NG, typically configured with 19 seats, is manufactured at a plant in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and is a significantly upgraded version of the older 228, with features including new avionics and improved propellers.

 Dornier 228NG

 Dornier 228NG

Copyright: BillyPix

While the type is available as a commuter airliner it has also found service as a special-mission platform for roles including maritime patrol and governmental operations.

On 31 August, RUAG delivered a new aircraft to the German naval squadron MFG 3, stationed at Nordholz. It says the delivery marks the "end of the successful era" of the squadron's previous Dornier 228, which went into service in 1991. Among the squadron's duties are maritime pollution monitoring over the Baltic and North Sea.

Speaking during the handover at Nordholz, ministry of transport parliamentary state secretary Enak Ferlemann, said: "In this new aircraft, Germany possesses an outstanding piece of equipment for performing the important tasks involved in marine pollution surveillance and maritime emergency response."

Source: Flight Daily News