Bangladesh Navy Signs Do228 Fleet Maintenance Deal with General Atomics AeroTec Systems

The Bangladesh Navy signed a new maintenance contract for its fleet with Do228 producer General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS).

The deal encompasses two of the Navy's Do228 aircraft delivered in 2013, which will be put through heavy maintenance encompassing a 72-month inspection and a 12-year structure inspection at GA-ATS's workshop in Germany. An additional aircraft will also be provided with a new surveillance radar system from Hensoldt to enhance maritime patrol and reconnaissance capability.

The Do228 has been in service with the Bangladesh Navy for over a decade. Two of its aircraft were inducted in 2013, and two more followed in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total to four. The aircraft are deployed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, medical evacuation and paratrooper insertion.

As part of the new agreement, GA-ATS will also train Bangladesh Navy pilots and maintenance crew. Pilot training will be conducted on the Do228 flight simulator in Germany, as well as operator training for the enhanced Hensoldt radar system.

General Atomics AeroTec Systems acquired the Do228 program and production sites in Oberpfaffenhofen in 2020 and has since shipped aircraft and support services to operators globally.