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Bangladesh Air Force

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 31 min

Bangladesh Air Force
  • বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী
  • Bāṅlādēś Bimān Bāhinī
Crest of Bangladesh Air Force
Founded28 September 1971; 53 years ago (1971-09-28)
Country Bangladesh
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size17,390 active duty personnel[1][2]
2,800 civilians[1][2]
156 aircraft[3][4]
Part of Bangladesh Armed Forces
HeadquartersDhaka Cantonment
PatronThe President of Bangladesh
Motto(s)বাংলার আকাশ রাখিব মুক্ত
("Free shall we keep the sky of Bangladesh")[5]
Colours
  • Service uniform: Light Sky Blue, Prussian Blue
      
  • Combat uniform: Deep Sky Blue, Prussian Blue, Black, Grey
        
Mascot(s)Flying Eagle
Anniversaries28 September (Air Force Day)
21 November (Armed Forces Day)
Engagements
Websitebaf.mil.bd
Commanders
Commander-In-ChiefPresident Mohammed Shahabuddin
Chief of Air Staff Air chief marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan[6][7]
Insignia
Ensign
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
AttackYakovlev Yak-130, Bayraktar TB2
FighterMiG-29, Chengdu F-7
HelicopterBell 212, Mil Mi-17, AW139
InterceptorChengdu F-7
ReconnaissanceSelex ES Falco, Bayraktar TB2
TrainerG-120TP, PT-6, AW119kx, Bell 206,K-8W, Yak-130, BBT-2
TransportC-130J, C-130, An-32, L-410

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী, romanized: Bāṅlādēś Bimān Bāhinī) is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The air force is primarily responsible for air defence of Bangladesh's sovereign territory as well as providing air support to the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy. Furthermore, the BAF has a territorial role in providing tactical and strategic air transport and logistics capability for the country.[8]

Since its establishment on 28 September 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force has been involved in various combat[9] and humanitarian operations, from the Bangladesh Liberation War in which it was born, to support international efforts including United Nations peacekeeping missions. Operation Kilo Flight was a famous operation conducted by the Bangladesh Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[9]

History

[edit]

Foundation

[edit]
A BAF F-86 Sabre in the BAF Museum

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was officially formed on 28 September 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War, and consisted of revolting Bengali officers and airmen who defected from the Pakistan Air Force at Dimapur Airport in the Indian state of Nagaland.[10] It was launched formally by flying three repaired vintage aircraft on 8 October 1971.[11] BAF's initial personnel were around a 1,000 Bengali members of the Pakistan Air Force, who were stationed in East Pakistan at the outbreak of the war and who defected to the Bangladeshi side.[11] At that time, the embryo of the BAF was formed with less than a hundred officers and around 900 airmen. These numbers were gradually strengthened by the slow but steady defection from among the around 3,000 Bengali officers and airmen stationed and grounded in West Pakistan. By the first week of December, a total of 700 Bengali officers and airmen had defected from the Western border. A significant number of BAF personnel participated in the Ground Warfare roles in the conflict.[12] During the war, initially, officers of the BAF attached to the then Bangladesh Government were Chief Representative to Chakulia Guerrilla Training Camp Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan, Group Captain A. K. Khandekar, DCOS Army(Liaison) later Sub-Sector Commander and as Commander - Sector 11, Flight Lieutenant Liaqat as Battalion Adjutant, Flying Officer Rouf, Flying Officer Ashraf and Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah as company commanders. Squadron Leader Sadruddin Hossain, Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim, Squadron Leader Nurul Qader, Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman and Squadron Leader Ataur Rahman as sub sector company commanders. Squadron Leader Khademul Bashar participated in the war as Commander-Sector 6.[13]

Indian civilian authorities and the IAF donated 1 DC-3 Dakota (gifted by the Maharaja of Jodhpor), 1 Twin Otter plane, and 1 Alouette III helicopter for the newborn Bangladesh Air Force.[14][10] The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintage runway at Dimapur Airport, then began rigging the aircraft for combat duty. The Dakota was modified to carry 500 pound bombs, but for technical reasons, it was only used to ferry Bangladesh government personnel. The Alouette III helicopter was rigged to fire 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and had .303 Browning machine guns installed, in addition to having 1-inch (25 mm) steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection. The Twin Otter boasted 7 rockets under each of its wings and could deliver ten 25 pound bombs, which were rolled out of the aircraft by hand through a makeshift door. This tiny force was dubbed Kilo Flight, the first fighting formation of the nascent Bangladesh Air Force. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight'.[15][16]

Bangladesh Air Force first went in action on 3 December 1971, at the start of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and attacked the Chattogram-based oil tank depot and oil tank depot was totally destroyed by that air attack. The air attack was conducted by Capt. Akram Ahmed.[17] The second Bangladesh Air Force attack was on 6 December 1971 at Moulvibazar Pakistani Army barracks under the command of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud, where Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed was co-pilot.[17]

After the surrender of Pakistan, all personnel reported to Bangladesh Forces commander-in-chief, Col. M. A. G. Osmani. On 7 April 1972, the post of the chief of air staff went into effect by order of the President of Bangladesh. The combined command of Bangladesh Forces had been abolished with effect from 7 April 1972 and replaced by three separate commands for the three services with acting chiefs of staff. The Bangladesh Air Force gradually began to reoccupy the reform all the airbase structures throughout the country, HQ administrative buildings, fuel and weapons depots.[18]

After independence

[edit]
The Alouette III was the first helicopter used by the Air Force, providing close air support during the Bangladesh Liberation War
A former fighter aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force

After independence, in November–December 1972, the BAF received a significant donation from the former USSR. Among the aircraft delivered were ten single-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MFs, two twin-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMs, and twelve Mil Mi-8 utility helicopters. Later on, China also supplied some equipment.[14]

Apart from the aircraft of Kilo Flight, which were donated by India, most Pakistan Air Force aircraft grounded in Dhaka due to runway cratering by the Indian Air Force during the liberation war, were sabotaged before surrender. Of these, four Canadair Sabres were also returned to service by Bangladeshi ground technicians in 1972. The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had many Bengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers and the general Bengali representation in the Pakistan Air Force was around 15% (and 18% in the officer ranks) of the 25,000 odd manpower of the Pakistan Air Force in 1971, which although lower than their share in the population (50%) was much higher than the 6% numbers in the Army. Many of them distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel. It had grown with the repatriation of the around 2,000 Air Force personnel from Pakistan in 1973 after the Simla Agreement.[11]

In 1977, some personnel of Bangladesh Air Force, led by Sergeant Afsar,[19] attempted to stage a coup, which resulted in the deaths of 11 air force officers.[20] After the mutiny was put down by the then Provost marshal Wing Commander M. Hamidullah Khan, TJ, SH, BP, President Ziaur Rahman even considered disbanding the Bangladesh Air Force, in favour of an army aviation wing.[20] However, this plan did not go ahead. President Ziaur Rahman placed Hamidullah in charge of Command and Communication Control at the old Parliamentary building, present day Prime Minister's office. Hamidullah reorganized the Forces intelligence to directorate general level under the authority of the President. Hence DGFI was born.

Defence co-operation improved with Pakistan considerably under the government of Ziaur Rahman and the military regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its wartime ally India. Common concerns over India's regional meddling have influenced strategic co-operation leading to a gift of several squadrons of refurbished Shenyang F-6 fighter aircraft from Pakistan to the Bangladesh Air Force in the late 1980s.[14] Bangladesh bought 8 MiG-29s from Russia in 1999 under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[21]

The Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) received National Colours in 2003 from the then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The Recruits' Training School (RTS) was awarded with BAF Colours by ex-Chief of Air Staff (AVM Fakhrul Azam) in 2004. In 2017, the Bangladesh Air Force was awarded the Independence Day Award.[22]

COVID-19 pandemic operations

[edit]

The Bangladesh Air Force was active during the COVID-19 pandemic. The BAF provided emergency medivac for many critical COVID-19 patients with their helicopters. BAF also evacuated immigrants and migrant workers, and airlifted tons of relief materials for home and abroad with their C-130B and C-130J cargo aircraft.[23][24]

Forces Goal 2030

[edit]
Main article: Forces Goal 2030 § Air Force

The Bangladesh Air Force has an ambitious modernisation plan to be implemented in upcoming years under Forces Goal 2030. As per the goal, air force is to be a strong deterrent force to well protect the sky of Bangladesh. Plans are made to strengthen both air power and land based air defence capabilities. Since the formulation of the forces goal 2030, the BAF has developed in many folds.[25]

The Bangladesh Air Force has set up an advanced training unit named 105 Advance Jet Training Unit which is a dedicated fighter pilot training unit of BAF. The unit consists of three training squadrons which will provide advanced training to the pilots selected for operating the fighter jets.[26]

Since 2010, the BAF has taken the delivery of sixteen Chengdu F-7BGI fighter aircraft, sixteen Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers, two C-130J transport aircraft,[citation needed] nine K-8W jet trainer aircraft, three Let L-410 Turbolet transport trainer aircraft[27] and twenty three CJ-6 basic trainers.[28] Process is going on for the procurement of sixteen multirole combat aircraft.[29]

A Yakovlev Yak-130 on final approach

The BAF has also taken the delivery of 21 Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters, four AgustaWestland AW139 maritime SAR helicopters and two AW 119KX training helicopters since 2010. The procurement process for eight attack helicopters is ongoing.[29]

The BAF gained surface-to-air missile capability by introducing FM-90 short-range air defence missiles in 2011.[30][unreliable source?] To date, BAF has taken delivery of two regiments of FM-90 systems. The BAF received an Italian long-range Selex RAT-31DL air defence radar in 2019.[31]

Bangladesh has signed a government-to-government contract with the United Kingdom for the supply of two off-the-shelf C-130J aircraft currently in service with the Royal Air Force.[32] In June 2019, another contract was signed for the procurement of an additional three off-the-shelf C-130J aircraft from the UK.[33] As of September 2020, three of the aircraft have been delivered.[34]

On 20 June 2018, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for the procurement of seven K-8 jet training aircraft.[35][36] On 15 October 2020, BAF received these seven K-8 jet trainers.[37]

UN mission deployment

[edit]
Bangladesh Air Force UN Peacekeeping Force at Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo

More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, and 10 BAF helicopters are currently deployed to various UN missions. Another C-130 transport aircraft is providing support to a UN mission in Africa. With the deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the largest troop-contributing country on UN peacekeeping missions.[38]

Chief of Air Staff

[edit]
Main article: Chief of Air Staff (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh Air Force is headed by an air officer and he is in the rank of air chief marshal. In 1972, this chief of air staff which is abbreviated as coas was created (in april 1972), and the first air chief was A. K. Khandker[39] whose rank was air vice marshal, all air chiefs till Fakhrul Azam[40] (served as air chief from 2002 to 2007) was air vice marshals, Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman was the first air chief who served in this post in the rank of air marshal from 2007 to 2012. Abu Esrar (served as air chief from 2015 to 2018) was the first person who served as air chief in the rank of air chief marshal and since him all air chiefs are air chief marshals.

Organisation

[edit]

According to the Constitution of Bangladesh, the President of Bangladesh acts as the civilian commander-in-chief, and the Chief of Air Staff (COAS), by statute a four-star air officer (air chief marshal),[41] commands the Air Force.[42][43][44] The Bangladesh Air Force is currently commanded by Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.[45][46][47] The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 4 branches: Operations & Training (Ops. & Trng.), Administration (Admin.), Maintenance (Mte.) and Plannings (Plans).[48] Each branch is headed by officers who are considered as principal staff officer (PSO) and known as assistant chief of air staff, e.g. ACAS (Ops & Trng). Under each PSO there are various directorates headed by directors of air commodore rank. Under each director, there are deputy directors (DD) headed by group captain and staff officers (SO) with the rank of wing commander and below.[citation needed]

Senior commanders

[edit]
Main article: List of serving air marshals of the Bangladesh Air Force
Shoulder Appointment Rank & Name Star Plate
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, BBP, OSP, GUP, nswc, psc, GD(P)- No 12 GD(P)
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal ASM Fakhrul Islam OSP, GUP, ndc, afwc, psc, GD (P)
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Air Vice Marshal MA Awal Hossain BBP, OSP, GUP, ndc, awc, psc, GD(P) - No 16
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Planning) Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Kamrul Islam BSP, GUP, nswc, afwc, psc, GD(P)
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance) Air Vice Marshal Md. Zahidul Sayeed, BUP, ndc, psc, Engineering - 24 Non GD
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Khademul Bashar (Dhaka) Air Vice Marshal Sharif Uddin Sarkar, GUP, ndc, afwc, psc, GD(P) - No 15 GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Kurmitola (Dhaka) Air Vice Marshal Rushad Din Asad, BPP, ndu, aowc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Zahurul Haq (Chittagong) Air Vice Marshal AKM Shaiful Azam,OSP,GUP,ndc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Matiur Rahman (Jessore) Air Vice Marshal M Khair Ul Afsar, GUP, ndc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bir Uttam Sultan Mahmud (Tangail) Air Commodore
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Cox's Bazar Air Commodore

Officers branches

[edit]

Branches of officers of Bangladesh Air Force are:

  • General Duties (Pilot), abbreviation: GD(P)
  • General Duties (Navigator), abbreviation: GD(N)
  • Engineering
  • Air Defense Weapons Controlling (ADWC)
  • Air Traffic control (ATC)
  • Meteorology
  • Logistics
  • Administration
  • Finance/Accounts
  • Education
  • Legal
  • Medical (officers are seconded from army)

Airmens trade groups

[edit]

Trade groups of airmen are as follows:[49]

  1. Aircraft Engineering
  2. Electrical and Instrument Engineering
  3. General Engineering
  4. Mechanical Transport Engineering
  5. Armament Engineering
  6. Radio Engineering
  7. Ground Signalling
  8. Radar Operating
  9. Life Saving Equipment
  10. Photography
  11. Air Traffic Control
  12. Education
  13. Cypher
  14. Meteorological
  15. Medical
  16. Secretarial
  17. Supply
  18. General Service
  19. Mechanical Transport Operator
  20. Provost
  21. Catering
  22. Musician
  23. Aircrew

Rank structure

[edit]
Main article: Military ranks of Bangladesh

Officers

[edit]
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Bangladesh Air Force[50]
এয়ার চিফ মার্শাল
Ēẏār chiph mārśāl 		এয়ার মার্শাল
Ēẏār mārśāl 		এয়ার ভাইস মার্শাল
Ēẏār bhā'is mārśāl 		এয়ার কমোডোর
Ēẏār kômōḍōr 		গ্রুপ ক্যাপ্টেন
Grup kaepṭēn 		উইং কমান্ডার
U'iṁ kômānḍār 		স্কোয়াড্রন লীডার
Skōẏāḍran līḍār 		ফ্লাইট লেফটেন্যান্ট
Phlā'iṭ lēphṭēnānṭ 		ফ্লাইং অফিসার
Phlā'iṁ ôphisār 		পাইলট অফিসার
Pā'ilôṭ Ôphisār

Airmen

[edit]
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Bangladesh Air Force[51]
No insignia
মাস্টার ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার
Māsṭāra ōẏārēnṭa aphisāra 		সিনিয়র ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার
Siniẏara ōẏārēnṭa aphisāra 		ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার
Ōẏārēnṭa aphisāra 		সার্জেন্ট
Sārjēnṭa 		কর্পোর‍্যাল
Karpōra‍yāla 		লীডিং এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান
Līḍiṁ ēẏārakryāphaṭamyāna 		এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান-১
Ēẏārakryāphaṭamyāna-1 		এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান-২
Ēẏārakryāphaṭamyāna-2

Installations and bases

[edit]

Equipment

[edit]

Aircraft

[edit]
Bangladesh Air Force MIG-29UB fly over
A BAF AW139 Maritime search and rescue helicopter
BAF Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
MiG-29 Russia Multirole BM/UB 8[56] Upgraded to BM standard in 2014 by Belarus.
Chengdu J-7 China fighter F-7 BG/BGI 36[56] License variant of the MiG-21
Transport
L-410 Turbolet Czech Republic transport 3[56] also provides multi-engine training[57]
Antonov An-32 Ukraine transport 3[56]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130B 3[56]
C-130J Super Hercules United States tactical airlifter C-130J-30 5[56] obtained from the RAF[58]
Helicopters
Bell 212 United States utility 14[56]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility / transport Mi-17/171 36[56]
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy SAR / utility 4[56]
Trainer aircraft
Bell 206 United States rotorcraft trainer 206L 6[56]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic primary trainer 7[56]
Grob G 115 Germany basic trainer G-115BD 3[59]
Grob G 120TP Germany basic trainer 24[56]
Hongdu JL-8 China / Pakistan jet trainer K-8W 14[56]
Chengdu FT-7 China trainer FT-7MB/BG 11[56] License variant of the MiG-21
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia LIFT 12[56] Four aircraft crashed.[60][61][62]
AgustaWestland AW119 Italy rotorcraft trainer 2[56]
UAV
Selex ES Falco Italy reconnaissance used for UN peacekeeping missions.[63]

Ordnance

[edit]
Name Origin Type Notes
Air-to-air missile
K-13 Russia IR guided missile 75 units received[31]
R-73 Russia IR guided missile 100 units received[31]
PL-7 China IR guided missile 100 units received[31]
PL-9C China IR guided missile 14 units received[31]
R-77 Russia BVR Unknown units received[64]
R-27 Ukraine BVR 28 units received[31]
Aerial bomb
Mark 81 United States general-purpose 200 units received[65]
LS-6 China smart bomb
Teber-81 Turkey Laser guided bomb 100 units received[31]
Air-launched rocket
S-24 Russia air-launched rocket 240 mm rocket for MIG-29[66]
S-8[67] Russia air-launched rocket application for the Mil mi-17 helicopter
Anti-surface
Kh-31A Soviet Union anti-ship missile tender released by DGDP for Kh-31A[68]
Roketsan Cirit Turkiye Air-to-surface, anti-armor and anti-personnel missile 50 units received[31]
Bangladesh Air Force FM-90 SAM

Air defence

[edit]
Name Origin Type Notes
SAM
FM-90 China SAM 36 batteries received[69]
FN-6 China MANPADS 50[69]
QW-2 Vanguard 2 China MANPADS 50[69]

Radars

[edit]
Name Origin Type Notes
Selex RAT-31DL Italy AESA Air Search Radar 2 installations[70]
1L-117 [1] Russia Air Search Radar 2 installations[70]
AN/TPS-43 United States 3D Air Search Radar 4 installations[70]
JH-16[71] China Air Search Radar
JY-11B [2][71] China 3D Air Search Radar
KRONOS LAND [3] Italy AESA Air Search Radar 1 installation[70][72]
YLC-6[73][71] China Air Search Radar
Plessey AR15 [4][71] United Kingdom Air Search Radar
RL-64I [5][71] Czech Republic S-Band Airport Surveillance Radar(ASR)
RP-5GI [6][71] Czech Republic Precision Approach Radar(PAR)

Current modernisation

[edit]

The BAF has an ongoing modernisation programme, Forces Goal 2030. To perform its increasing duties and responsibilities, the air force is being divided into two separate commands: Southern and Northern. A new airbase is being set up under Southern Command at Barishal with an emphasis on maritime security.[28] Another airbase is under construction at Sylhet.[74]

On 29 October 2019, the Italian company Leonardo announced that it secured a contract to supply Kronos Land 3D AESA radar systems to the Bangladesh Air Force to provide air surveillance and detect and track targets in tactical environments. The number of radars ordered were not disclosed.[75]

In the third Bangladesh-UK strategic dialogue held in May 2019, the two countries desired to further strengthen the defence ties between them. The United Kingdom expressed its readiness to support Bangladesh with the procurement of high-calibre multi-role combat aircraft alongside other modernisation programmes.[76] Five ex-RAF 'short-bodied' C-130Js were ordered in two batches in 2018 and 2019 to replace Bangladesh's ageing, second-hand C-130Bs. The first aircraft was delivered in August 2019. They will be used to transport troops and equipment both home and abroad, as well as provide humanitarian assistance and support UN peacekeeping missions. The fourth aircraft landed at the Bangabandhu Airbase in Dhaka on 20 February 2023.[77]

In October 2019, US officials said Bangladesh requested to purchase advanced military equipment from the United States, including multi-role combat fighters, attack helicopters and surface-to-air missile systems.[78] The US offered the Bangladesh Air Force two types of attack helicopter,s and the BAF opted for the AH-64 Apache.[78] In January 2020, Boeing confirmed that the AH-64E attack helicopter was down-selected by the BAF after a competitive bidding process.[79] Any purchase of AH-64 Apache helicopters depends on Bangladesh and the United States signing Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) agreements. However, in late December 2021, it was reported that Bangladesh was now finalizing a government-to-government (G2G) deal with Russia to buy 8 Mi-28NEs with the necessary equipment, along with operations and maintenance training.[80] As of 2024, the Bangladesh government has not signed the deal yet.

In January 2020, the minister responsible for defence affairs in the parliament, Anisul Huq, told the parliament that the process is ongoing to procure 16 multirole combat aircraft, eight attack helicopters, three VVIP helicopters, two air defence radar units, 24 primary trainer aircraft, two light aircraft, one K-8W simulator, four MRAP vehicles, one AW-119 simulator, 2 counter drone surveillance radar system and one mobile ATC tower and a life extension and upgrade of its MiG-29 aircraft.[29] In 2021, Bangladesh Air Force requested the Bangladesh Government to earmark around 25,200-crores taka (2.5 billion euro) for 16 Western-origin multirole fighter jets.[81] In order to sign the agreement and for the first installment council, the Bangladesh Air Force requested the allocation of 6,300-crores taka for the 2021-22 financial year.[81] In 2021, Eurofighter World Magazine reported Bangladesh as a potential customer for the Eurofighter Typhoon.[82] France also offered the Dassault Rafale to the Bangladesh Air Force.[83] Plans and procedures for the procurement of 16 Western-origin multirole fighter jet were established after cancellation of an older tender for 8 to 12 Russian-made MRCA.[84] As of 2024, the Bangladesh Government has not signed any deal for the multirole fighter jets.

In June 2021, the Bangladesh Air Force revealed an order for 24 Grob G 120TP trainer aircraft. According to Masihuzzaman Serniabat, the previous COAS, the Bangladesh Air Force ordered 24 trainer aircraft from Grob.[85] Under the deal, Grob Aircraft will also install a composite material (fiberglass reinforced plastic and carbon fibre composites) repair workshop and a propeller repair workshop in Bangladesh.[85]

Accidents

[edit]
  • 8 April 2008: Squadron leader Morshed Hasan died when a Chengdu F-7 crashed in Ghatail upazila of Tangail. The pilot ejected from the aircraft but was critically injured when its parachute malfunctioned. He died at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka after he had been rescued.[86]
  • 20 December 2010: Squadron leaders Ashraf Ibne Ahmed and Mahmudul Haque were killed when two Bangladesh Air Force PT-6 aircraft crashed near Barisal Airport.[87]
  • 8 April 2012: A pilot officer, Shariful Haque, died and a squadron leader, Muhammad Mamunur Rashid, was injured when an Aero L-39 training aircraft crashed in Madhupur upazila of Tangail.[88]
  • 26 April 2012: A PT-6 aircraft was on a training mission belonging to Bangladesh Air Force crash-landed in West Bengal, India. Trainee pilot Rashed Sheikh escaped the aircraft safely with minor injuries. India arranged a safe return of the pilot to Bangladesh.[89][90]
  • 13 May 2015: A Mi-17 helicopter on a training flight belonging to Bangladesh Air Force crash-landed at the airport and caught fire. All three people on board sustained major injuries and were hospitalized.[91]
  • 29 June 2015: Flight Lieutenant Tahmid went missing when his F-7MB crashed into the Bay of Bengal. The Aircraft took off around 10:27am from Johurul Haque air base, lost contact with the control room around 11:10am and later crashed in the Bay of Bengal in Patenga around 11:30am.[92][93]
  • 11 July 2017: A Yak-130 'Mitten' training aircraft crashed at Lohagara in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong District.[94] Two pilots were unharmed.[95]
  • 27 December 2017: Two Yak-130 aircraft crashed at Maheshkhali Island in Cox's Bazar due to a mid-air collision. The official report states that the accident happened during the breaking of formation at a training exercise. All four pilots of two aircraft were rescued alive.[96][97]
  • 3 January 2018: 1 Mi-17 helicopter crashed in Sreemangal whilst carrying Kuwaiti delegates. Everyone was rescued alive.[98]
  • 1 July 2018: Squadron leader Md Serajul Islam and Squadron leader Enayet Kabir Polash were killed when their K-8W trainer aircraft crashed at Bookbhora oxbow lake near Jessore Airport on a night training mission.[99]
  • 23 November 2018: Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu died when his F-7BG crashed in Tangail's Madhupur upazila on a training mission. The fuel tank of the aircraft reportedly caught fire after it used weaponry in the sky, leading the pilot to eject at low altitude. The pilot was later found dead and parts of the plane were seen scattered.[100][101]
  • 9 May 2024: A Yak-130 training fighter plane of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed in Chattogram's Patenga due to pilot error.[102][103] One of the two pilots was injured, and Squadron Leader Muhammad Asim Jawwad died.[104] CCTV video shows the aircraft performing three aileron rolls while rapidly descending before impacting the runway right-side-up and without landing gear.[105] The aircraft then caught fire and bounced upwards, taking off again. Both crew members ejected and were rescued alive. The pilot died in hospital while the co-pilot sustained serious injuries. Bangladesh sent six officers to early retirement following the Yak-130 accident.[106][107] However, Bangladeshi officials have attributed the crash to a possible mechanical failure before the video leaked.[103][108][109][110][111]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b সশস্ত্রবাহিনীর মোট সদস্য সংখ্যা দুই লাখ চার হাজার ৫৯৬ জন. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 8 June 2017.
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