General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS), the German aircraft manufacturer, has confirmed it will be bringing its newly launched Do228 NXT twin-turboprop aircraft to Africa just months after its unveiling in Germany. The company is set to exhibit the aircraft at Egypt’s El Alamein International Airshow, 8-10 September 2026, and at South Africa’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Expo, 16-20 September.

The Do228 NXT’s static display at the El Alamein International Airshow will mark the first time it has appeared on display outside of Europe and only the third time at a trade show, having previously been displayed at ILA Berlin 2026 and Farnborough International Airshow. GA-ATS said it had “already generated significant interest among customers, delegations and industry professionals” at those events.

A little under a week later, the aircraft is set to make its South African debut at the biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo in Hangar 1 at Booth 1CW6 at Waterkloof Air Force Base, just south of Pretoria.

By bringing the Do228 NXT to two of the continent’s leading trade shows, the company said it highlights the importance of Africa and the Middle East as large and growing markets for the new turboprop aircraft.

Built originally by Dornier between 1981 and 1998, licensed production has continued in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. While GA-ATS acquired the rights to the aircraft from RUAG in 2021, it later announced its intention to start production of a modernised version of the aircraft, formally launching the Do228 NXT at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, in June 2026.

In bringing the Do228 NXT to Africa so soon after its launch, GA-ATS hopes to capitalise on the aircraft’s previous success across the continent. Having seen service in approximately 20 countries across more than 30 operators, the Do228 has been a mainstay of African civil and military aviation for decades.

This success can, in large part, be attributed to the aircraft’s relatively low operating costs, strong reputation for reliability, and its short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, vital characteristics for an aircraft often used to connect remote areas with only unpaved airfields.

“To this day, the Do228 serves as a vital platform for connecting remote areas, landing at unpaved airfields, STOL operations and conducting demanding operations under harsh conditions. With the new Do228 NXT, this success story continues,” GA-ATS said in a press release.

The Do228 NXT is designed to perform a wide range of roles. These include passenger and cargo transport missions, search and rescue missions, medical evacuations, reconnaissance flights, and border surveillance operations. “This offers operators the key advantage of being able to carry out multiple missions with a single aircraft,” the company noted.

Powered by twin Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engines producing 579 kW each, the Do228 NXT is capable of a maximum cruise speed of approximately 444 km/h. The aircraft has a 16.97 m wingspan, is capable of carrying up to 19 passengers or a maximum useful load of 2 700 kg, and has a range of up to 2 450 km, payload depending.

Notably, GA-ATS has already secured the Do228 NXT’s first sale, signing a contract with an undisclosed non-governmental humanitarian organisation earlier this year, with delivery slated for some time in early 2027.

“The two appearances at international trade shows in Africa mark the beginning of a broader strategic focus on the continent, where the new Do228 NXT aircraft has significant market opportunities and enormous potential for deployment,” the company said.