Dronier 228 being dismantled on site in Thailand, and transported to the RUAG International facility in Oberpfaffenhofen via an Antonov AN-124 transport aircraft
8 February 2021: RUAG International recently signed a contract with Royal Thai Navy for the comprehensive modernization of the Dornier 228 aircraft. Initially only two aircraft will be taken in for modernization. The complete process includes transportation of the aircraft to and from Thailand, installation of glass cockpit modernization of avionics system and also providing training for the use of new equipment.
The aircraft will be dismantled on site in Thailand, and transported to the RUAG International facility in Oberpfaffenhofen via an Antonov AN-124 transport aircraft. A team of experts from RUAG International will then carry out a comprehensive inspection, remove the paint completely and eliminate any corrosion damage to the 25 year old aircraft structure.
The aircraft will then be equipped with glass cockpits and modern avionics systems (COM, NAV). The interior, cockpit and aircraft cabin will also be revamped. It will receive modern mission equipment that will enable tasks to be performed more effectively and efficiently. These include a 360° search radar, infrared cameras as well as a mission management and data link for data transmission to ground stations and/or ships.
Apart from this, RUAG MRO International will also organize special training for crew members and technicians, partly in Germany and partly on site in Thailand.
Thomas Imke, Sales Manager at RUAG International said, “The Royal Thai Navy is dependent on the greatest possible availability of its aircraft to be able to continuously perform its sovereign tasks. We are therefore doing everything we can to keep aircraft downtime as short as possible. Especially under the current conditions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, this is a challenge. Even sending a five-man team to Thailand for dismantling the aircraft involved considerable effort, given reduced flight connections and quarantine regulations. These are challenges that we are happy to take on because the satisfaction of our customers is our top priority.”
The Thai Navy uses its Dornier 228 to monitor the exclusive economic zone called the “200-mile zone”. The aircraft and their crews conduct ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions in the territorial waters of the Gulf of Thailand for the purpose of border surveillance to combat illegal trade and fishing.
