Defense Update Bangladesh

Again two of Bangladesh Air Force’s Yak-130 crashed. Two Russian advanced jet trainer aircraft of the BD Air Force has been crashed yesterday in the Chittagong Division’s Moheshkhali. Four pilots ejected safely and survived any serious injury. Previously one more Yak-130 crashed in the middle of this year in Lohargoa, Chittagong.

Bangladesh Air Force issued request-for-proposal to purchase Medium-Altitude Long-Range (MALE) unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Earlier it was believed that BAF will buy Turkish Aerospace Industries made Anka-S UCAV. But new RFP showed up and the procurement has been opened for all parties interested to supply UAV to Bangladesh Air Force. Technological advancement is the key purpose of inducting military drones into BAF services.  There are various options, mainly from China & Turkey, for armed drones for Bangladesh. Turkey has TAI Anka-S special ISR & combat UAS and Baykar Makina developed Bayraktar TB2Tactical UAV which is missile armed drone. On the other hand, China has much more options. AVIC China has CH-4 & CH-5 armed UAVs which can perform surveillance and combat missions precisely. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) recently unveiled their most advanced UCAV Wing Loong-2 (Pterodactyl-2), and this is capable to carry a wide array of munitions to perf...

Bangladesh Victory Day Parade-2017 Part-1. Bangladesh Air Force arranged aerobatics & flypast of various military aircrafts at Bijoy Dobosh 2017. Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid attended the ceremony at the National Parade Square. The sky over the Old Airport, Tejgaon was roared by the combat planes. Mig-29, F-7BG fighter jets along with other trainer aircrafts participated in the aerial display.

Bangladesh Air Force decided to buy Russian Mi-35M multipurpose attack helicopter. Mi-35M is the export version of the Mil Mi-24, is a twin engine attack chopper. It can carry 2400kg of various armaments payload. This variant is equipped with all the latest avionics package. This is a night attack version, featuring night vision systems, electro-optical range finder/targeting system, GLONASS/GPS navigation system, onboard computer, electronic multifunction displays and jam-proof communications equipment for better operational capabilities. Neither Bangladesh Air Force nor Bangladesh Army currently operate any dedicated attack helicopter. Mi-35M can carry 8 fully geared troops and can conduct medical evacuation missions too. This is a truly multipurpose helicopter. Initially six Mi-35 will be bought for the BAF. The deal yet to be signed. Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force needs a dedicated attack helicopter platform as soon as possible. Attack choppers are the main fighting to...

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to buy Turkish TAI Anka UAV.  Reportedly BAF ordered Anka-S UAS which is the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle or UCAV version of the Turkish Aerospace Industries developed Anka ISR drone. BD Air Force forming up their unmanned aerial vehicle fleet. This fleet would comprises both surveillance & combat UAV. BAF wants a true force multiplier to augment force’s real capabilities to ensure national security in all aspect. Turkish Anka unmanned aerial systems has been designed to conduct most critical operations. Anka is manufactured with latest technology and materials.  Earlier in last November Chief Of Air Staff ACM Abu Esrar visited Turkey. He met with Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries Ismail Demir and visited several defense industries in Ankara. Before COAS Abu Esrar’s visit to Turkey there were news that Bangladesh Air Force interested to buy Turkish defense equipment including TAI Anka, T129 ATAK attack helicopter and TAI Hu...

Part-2 of Bangladesh Victory Day Parade-2017 and Bangladesh Armed Forces defense equipment show. Bijoy Dibosh is a commemorative ceremonial day of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. Victory Day of Bangladesh is the 16th December of every year. In this day country’s armed forces arrange military parade at the National Parade Ground in Tejgaon.  This parade includes march-past of the troops from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force and all other paramilitary forces. Public show of various defense equipment also held. Air Force conduct aerial maneuver over the sky of the parade ground. Bangladesh celebrated her 47th Victory Day this year.

Bangladesh Victory Day Parade-2017 and Bangladesh Armed Forces defense equipment show part-1. Bijoy Dibosh is a commemorative ceremonial day of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. Victory Day of Bangladesh is the 16th December of every year. In this day country’s armed forces arrange military parade at the National Parade Ground in Tejgaon.  This parade includes march-past of the troops from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force and all other paramilitary forces. Public show of various defense equipment also held. Air Force conduct aerial maneuver over the sky of the parade ground.

Pabna class patrol boats was the first ever homemade naval vessel for the Bangladesh Navy. Total five crafts were built in the Dockyard & Engineering Works (DEW) Ltd. Naraynagnaj. After serving for long time in the BD Navy, Pabna class crafts were handed over to the newly formed Bangladesh Coast Guard in 1994.  First boat of the class was launched in the 1972 and last three was launched in the 1977. Pabna class crafts are the small naval ship intended to patrol the riverine water bodies with sufficient speed and maneuverability. The first ship was, dubbed as the BNS Pabna. This class was powered by two Cummins diesel engines. It was 75 feet long, 6.1 wide and 6.2 feet draught. The ship weighs 69 tons while comprising 33 crews.  A Swedish Bofors made 40mm cannon was the only armament of the craft. Currently all the ships are serving in the BCG. New class of patrol boats and crafts has been commissioned into the Bangladesh Navy service, which mainly replaced this cl...

Bangladesh Air Force’s Chief of Air Staff ACM Abu Esrar visited Turkey and met his Turkish counterpart Commander Hassan Kucukakyuz. They discussed various professional matters.  COAS Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar also met with Turkish Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff General Hulusi Akar and Undersecretary for Defense Industry (SSM) İsmail Demir. COAS ACM Abu Esrar visited Turkish Air Force base and homage tribute to TurAF monument. He also visited various Turkish military aerospace & defense industries. Earlier news came that Bangladesh Air Force interested to buy Turkish attack helicopter TAI T129 ATAK, unmanned aerial vehicle Anka and basic trainer aircraft Hurkus.  Turkey supported Bangladesh’s position in the world forums including United Nations in the Rohingya cases. Myanmar army literally did genocide in the rakhine state against Rohingya peoples. Almost 700,000 Rohingya people fled to Bangladesh from burmese killing operation. Turkish first lady vi...

Bangladesh Army buying SLWH Pegasus 155mm Howitzer Cannon from Singapore. This is a light-weight, air transportable self-propelled howitzer gun developed for the Singapore Armed Forces. ST Kinetics manufactures it. Recently Bangladesh Army was searching for air transportable howitzer for last few months. One of the main condition was air transportability of the cannon.  SLWH Pegasus can be carried by the CH-47 Chinook helicopter and C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter to the deployment area. Bangladesh Air Force operating four C-130Hs and two C-130Js are coming soon.  Bangladesh Army wants to ensure massive retaliatory fire power if myanmar do any misfire towards Bangladesh. Or, if any clash emerge in the border with any neighbor Bangladesh needs sufficient firepower to engage the enemy forces.  Such howitzer can fire extended range guided ammunitions at a range of 30km. Normal firing range if about 19km. How many Pegasus guns will be bought it’s not cle...

Bangladesh Army going to buy new 4x4 light armored vehicles (LAV) from overseas manufacturers. A tender has been issued by the Directorate General of Defense Purchase (DGDP), an arm of the Ministry of Defence of Bangladesh, in last 5th of this November. The DGDP asked for the Rquest for Proposal from actual manufacturers from abroad.  These light armored vehicles will 4x4 all-wheel drive. Protection measures shall meet the NATO Standard STANAG-4569 Level 2 and STANAG-4569 Level 2A for various part of the vehicle.  Some of them will be deployed in the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions in those where Bangladesh Army participating currently.  This procurement differs from the earlier one which is the biggest armored vehicle purchasing by the BA comprises almost 600 units worth $1bn in sum.  Still no vendor has been selected, but soon will be. Other specifications includes a Night Vision System for the driver and gunner. A rooftop remote weapons ...

Bangladesh Navy plans to manufacture anti-ship cruise missiles in home.  Naval planners of Bangladesh considering to produce or assemble anti-ship missile domestically to meet the High Performance Frigate program of the navy. Under “Forces Goal – 2030” modernization program Bangladesh Navy (BN) poised to operate more than a dozens of advanced multirole stealth frigates, stealth corvettes and some other missile carrying small warships. Most of the naval ships will be built in home, mean in Bangladesh. Those guided missile frigates will feature a substantial amount of anti-ship cruise missiles.  To save resources and create defense industry opportunities Bangladesh Navy wants to manufacture those missiles in home. For this purpose BN is searching for a suitable option overseas with transfer-of-technology. This program currently is in preliminary planning phase. On the other side of the modernization process Noubahini already tasked Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd. to build firs...

Here's the 3-D illustration of the Bangladesh Naval Academy Bangladesh Naval Academy is the training institute of country’s navy. Recently government approved a project to renovate this naval training institution with scores of new infrastructures, charming landscapes and with some other facilities. Here it is a mock up presentation of the whole project.

Bangladesh Armed Forces pursuing an extensive modernization process dubbed as the “Forces Goal – 2030”. That’s mean many things will be changed within this time frame to increase Bangladesh’s military strength. Although the plan being implemented, some acquisition programs will depend on the economic condition.  Here the problem is most of the ordinary citizens of Bangladesh doesn't know how defense procurement process works! We tried to make clear how Government of Bangladesh implementing the upgrade process and how much time it will take. This is just an effort to serve rightful information that Bangladeshis needs to know about their state institutions.  Bangladesh don’t publish about all its weapon systems because of many reasons. Some things should be kept in secrecy, it’s a strategy to astonishing enemy in battle. In the coming years Bangladesh Armed Forces will induct many game changing weapons. Many weapons and weapons platforms are great diplomatic tool w...

Bangladesh wants TAI Hurkus basic trainer aircraft, TAI T129 ATAK helicopter and Anka or Bayraktar TB2 UAVs.  Government of Bangladesh interest to buy Turkish manufactured defense hardware. Hurkus is a basic trainer aircraft intended for primary pilot training. Bangladesh Army searching for a suitable attack helicopter option whereas turkey’s T129 ATAK attack helicopter is a contender too. And, Bangladesh wants build a handsome fleet of unmanned aerial systems fleet to better monitor adverse weather conditions as it is a disaster prone country. Drones are effective tool to monitor advance flood situation, SAR missions after cyclone, flood and other natural calamities. Bangladesh Armed Forces sometimes opts for Turkish defense products as those are cheaper than same western ones. Recently turkey developed some decent military equipment like T129 attack helicopter, TAI Anka unmanned aerial vehicle and many armored combat vehicles. Ministry of Defence wants to increase Bangla...

Bangladesh Navy deployed its SWADS in South Sudan in a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission.  Special Warfare Diving And Salvage (SWADS) or the Bangladesh Navy SEAL/UDT is a special warfare branch. UN maintaining some peacekeeping mission in S. Sudan as their promise to bring and maintain stability in the country for better humanitarian situation. Bangladesh has provided a unit of SWADS to the Force Riverine Unit (FRU). It has present in there from 2005.

Bangladesh Navy currently serving a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Lebanon. The mission dubbed as United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Bangladesh Navy guided missile frigate BNS Ali Haider and large patrol craft BNS Nirmul has been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea as the Lebanon mission. BN is the third navy serving in that area. First BNS Osman and BNS Madhumati was deployed.  BN gaining valuable operational experiences by serving in the UNPK Missions in various parts of the world. Many of them are volatile. By providing in the UN Missions Bangladesh also earning much needed foreign currencies which helping country’s economy.

Bangladesh commissioned first home-made ASW warship BNS Durgam into active service. BNS Durgam is a Durjoy-class semi-stealth Anti-Submarine Warfare large patrol craft (LPC) of Bangladesh Navy built by the Khulna Shipyard Limited. A shipbuilder from China provided technical assistances to make the ship. This is the first Bangladesh made ASW warship. Two ship in the class has been commissioned by the Honorable President of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh Advocate Abdul Hamid yesterday.  BNS Durgam ship design is the downsized version of the Chinese PLAN Type 056 stealth corvette. First two ships of this class was built china for Bangladesh Navy. Then china transfer the technology to Khulna Shipyard Limited. Here two dedicated ASW version BNS Durgam and BNS Nishan has been built and four more ships are expected to be built in the next two years.  Bangladesh Navy set a goal to build most of the naval ships in home. As per that plan already some small patrol boats, tug...

BNS Durjoy is the Durjoy class large patrol craft operating by the Bangladesh Navy (BN) from 2013. It is built by the Chinese Wuchang Shipyard. This LPC has a displacement of 648 tons and carry four C-704 anti-ship cruise missiles. An H/PJ-26 76.2 mm forward naval gun, 2 Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and 2 6-tube EDS-25A 250mm ASW rocket launchers are other armaments.  This ship is intended to operate in coastal waters for mainly surface warfare. China built two of this class, named BNS Durjoy and BNS Nirmul, for the Bangladesh Navy. Another two dedicated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version has been built in the Khulna Shipyard Limited (KSY) recently. Four more are expected.  As Myanmar navy has no submarine yet but indian navy has, Bangladesh Navy surely deploy them near indian water border. After inducting two Chinese Ming-class attack submarines into active service india expressed unprecedented ire of towards Bangladeshi submarine acquisition. Unspecified sources said tha...

Bangladesh Air Force going to induct Chinese FD-2000 long-range surface-to-air missile defense system. This acquisition will be activated just after deployment of the LY-80E medium-range air defense system. BAF currently has no such defensive military equipment rather some FM-90B short-range air defence missile systems in active service. FD-2000 is the export designation of the domestic Chinese version of HQ-9 long-range SAM system. It’s developed by the CPMIEC.  Bangladesh Armed Forces has seeking some affordable and cost-effective air defense systems, which can be integrated into country’s existing air defence command network. BAF previously evaluating some options and choose Chinese one. This SAM platform will be deployed to protect Bangladesh’s important civil-military installations around the country.  This long-range missile defense system has 200km of slant range. Can engage targets up to 27km altitude. Its main search radar can track 100 targets and design...

Russia offered Mig-35 fighter jet to Bangladesh Air Force with transfer-of-technology.  Bangladesh Air Force fighter aircraft procurement program gets a new turnover from Su-30SME towards Mig-35. It’s a nothing strange but, amazingly Russians are offering transfer-of-technology to Bangladesh accordingly. This happens when Su-30SME deal stalled due to various reasons. Russian state defense technology exporter Rosobornexport made the offer to Bangladesh.  It is said in the report that, if Bangladesh Air Force buy Mig-35 jets, these will be manufactured in the Bangabandhu Aeronautical Center in Dhaka. An MRO facility also will be established to support maintenance, repair and future upgrade works. Bangladesh needs medium weight long range fighter jets urgently to maintain air power capabilities.  Myanmar progressing their deal for the JF-17 Thunder license building in home. Talks are going on with both developer of the jet, China & Pakistan, simultaneously. ...

Bangladesh Air Force’s Bangabandhu Aeronautical Center (BAC) is the country’s first of its kind. This is a Bangladesh Ministry of Defense-owned aerospace defense security and advanced technology venture mainly focusing on avionics, aviation, and high-tech electronics. BAC poised to build modern fighter jets in Bangladesh within next decade. BAC’s work domain includes aircraft design, development & manufacturing, and producing avionics systems for country’s armed forces. Manufacture and maintenance of radar, unmanned aerial vehicle and other defense systems for Bangladesh Army & Bangladesh Navy. It also performs maintenance and overhauling of the civil-military airplanes.  There are strict restriction of exporting any product, technology or services to any foreign party. Bangladesh Air Force is operating and managing all the activities of this aviation industry. BAC is going to make operational an F-7 overhaul plant for BAF’s F-BG+F-7BGI fleet upgradation. Unmanned a...

South Korea offered its K21-105 Light Tank to Bangladesh Army (BA). Recently BA has driven for a new type of light battle tank to enhance fire power of the armored divisions. This light tanks will be deployed in the mountainous and jungle areas where most of the heavier main battle tanks can’t operate to various reasons.  South Korean Hanwha Defense Systems manufacturing this tank. K21-105 light tank is based on the K21 infantry fighting vehicle which has been developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of Republic of Korea Government. Basically the K21-105 light tank has been developed by the Doosan DST & CMI Defence of Belgium. It uses the newly developed XC-8 turret by Cockerill (CMI Defence) which increased its direct fire capability. The XC-8 is based on the Cockerill CT-CV 105HP turret and is fitted with a 105 mm or 120 mm gun. This gun can fire 8 rounds per minute.  This 105mm gun can fire all standard NATO rounds for up-to 10 km range in indi...

Chittagong Dry Dock Limited will build heavy stealth frigates for the Bangladesh Navy. CDDL or Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd currently owned by the Bangladesh Navy (BN) established as a complementary to the Chittagong Port Authority under Bangladesh Steel & Engineering Corporation. It was intended to maintenance and repair Bangladeshi flagships & those commercial cargo & container vessels touches Chittagong Port.  In 2015 Government of Bangladesh handed over the CDDL to the BN. After that the navy planned to build heavy frigates, large container vessels and alike. Already CDDL built a cargo vessel. In order to commence building of Bangladesh Navy’s heavy frigate which would be a Chinese design, BN teamed up with Chinese Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. (CSOC).  Bangladesh Navy slated to have 12-14 such heavy frigates within 2030. And, most importantly they want to build them at home which would commercially-offset a certain portion of money will...

Khulna Shipyard (KSY) Limited was established in 1957 and currently being operated by the Bangladesh Navy. KSY Ltd has built the Durgam-class ASW large patrol craft for BN. After establishment, KSY built and repaired many cargo & container vessels. It also manufacture various steel structures for industry and infrastructure building.  This shipyard was handed over to the Bangladesh Navy in 1999 with a large sum of debt. After 2008 KSY paid all its debt and started making profit. Now it is the largest tax payer in the Khulna divisional region. Products of the KSY Ltd are various cargo vessels, container vessels, firefighting boats, tugboats, submarine tugs, harbor patrolling boats, Padma-class patrol boats, Durgam-class ASW LPCs, floating cranes, tankers, supply ships and some more.  In the coming years, Khulna Shipyard, slated to build stealth corvette for Navy. For this purposes modern facilities are being installed on the yard area. Bangladesh needs to enhance i...

Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited or DEW Ltd is a Bangladeshi shipbuilding industry operating by the Bangladesh Navy, located in Narayanganj. This shipyard builds inshore patrol vessels, harbor patrol crafts, coast guard patrol crafts, landing craft utility, landing craft tanks, medium cargo vessels and high-speed boats. DEW Ltd targeted to build 6,000 DWT ship within 2020. This is the oldest shipyard in Bangladesh, established in 1922. Various types naval ships being built in DEW and in future some larger warships also will built as per the plan.  Bangladesh needs to boost its naval warship building capabilities throughout all the shipbuilding industries the country has. Bangladesh have to protect vast amount of territorial sea waters in the Bay of Bengal. Various types of natural resources like marine fisheries, hydrocarbons may can be a turning point for Bangladesh’s economy. Fishermen from neighboring countries trying steal our fish resources in the area, il...

Bangladesh has very little defense equipment manufacturing facilities. Which have, all are state owned. Among them Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) is the biggest one and established in 1979 with the help China.  After that, in the 80s the facility has been renovated and expanded. Now, BOF manufacturing various kind of small weapons. BD-08 assault rifle, BD-14 general purpose machine guns, Heckler & Koch G3 Battle Rifle, Arges BD-84 hand grenades, FN-16 MANPADS and some others. Most of the ammunitions needed for the armed forces and police forces of Bangladesh are being produced in the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories. Within next year BOF will start to manufacture rocket or projectiles for the home made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems of Bangladesh Army. Another defense vehicle manufacturing company Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) will assemble the launcher vehicles for the GMLRS.  Bangladesh Ordnance Factories contributing to the country’s secu...

Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory or BMTF is an automobile manufacturing/assembly industry managed by the Bangladesh Army. This state owned commercial venture is primarily tasked to produce various types of military vehicles for Bangladesh Armed Forces. Troop trucks, staff cars, jeeps etc. are being assembled in BMTF. It’s also manufacturing some soldiers’ gears and other materials for Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy.  BMTF setting up a plant to produce Armored Personnel Carriers and launcher vehicles for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems that will be assembled in Bangladesh. For this negotiation is ongoing with China Sinotruck and Taian Special Vehicle Company Ltd. BMTF is the largest venture in Bangladesh in its category. It also produces various agricultural equipment, energy saving lamps, leather items for soldiers and steel structures. Bangladesh needs to build her own military industries rapidly to cope up with the security threat...

Bangladesh has a little industrial base for defense equipment manufacturing and assembly. It comprises mostly land systems, small arms, and naval ships. An aviation center has been established but not going further than overhauling, maintenance and repair.  Bangladesh Ordnance Factories, Bangladesh Machine Tools Factories, Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited, Khulna Shipyard Limited, Chittagong Dry Dock Limited and Banghabandhu Aeronautical Center are the only entities in the defense sector.  Government of Bangladesh trying to expand this sector to create more jobs, saving hard earned foreign currencies and ultimately to enhance armed forces’ capabilities to maintain national security.

Bangladesh Navy Anirban 2017 has been published.  Video Credit: Bangladesh Navy

Bangladesh Army attack helicopter procurement, Leonardo A129 is an option. Italian defense equipment manufacturer Leonardo Company offered it A129 International attack helicopter to Bangladesh Army. Attack helicopters are modern army’s aerial warfare backbone and Leonardo’s A129 combat helicopter is one of the most sophisticated chopper in its class.  It is a combat proven platform. A129 also dubbed as AW129, sometimes. Italian Army operating 59 of them and deployed worldwide operations. This attack helo can operate in hot desert conditions, cold weather, and tropical humid weather. If Bangladesh Army go for A129 then they can get logistics, training, maintenance and spare supports easily.

Bangladesh Army (BA) Going to Manufacture Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in Home. Bangladesh setting up an armored personnel carrier (APC) manufacturing plant inside the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) premises in Gazipur district near Dhaka. Not only army but also other armed forces, Bangladesh Police, Border Huard Bangladesh, and few other paramilitary needs such armored cars to operate swiftly.  Recently Armed Forces of Bangladesh taking initiatives to manufacture most of the country’s needed military equipment and gears in home. APC factory is one of those efforts. BMTF has sufficient resources and skilled manpower to execute such big military vehicle manufacturing process. Previously Bangladesh upgraded their Type-59 tanks with some foreign technical help. Bangladesh Army also producing various types of military trucks and cars.  In another effort, BD Army setting up an overhauling plant for russian built “BTR” series armored personnel carriers. C...

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Not Buying Su-30SME Under MRCA Program. Bangladesh Air Force’s Su-30SME acquisition plagued due to high price asking by Moscow. Rather Russia wants Bangladesh to buy its new Mig-35D. But BAF is not willing to buy any more Migs. UAC asked $60m for each Su-30SME whereas they offering it to Phillipines Air Force in a $45m price tags.  Bangladesh Air Force currently lacks in needed air power due to aging fleet of F-7BG and some of 8 Mig-29s. Country needs 2-3 more squadrons of 4++ generation fighter jets to maintain air power balance. Recent acquisition of BAF comprises only some trainer aircrafts and utility helicopters. No new advanced fighter jet has been bought in near future.  Initially Bangladesh sought for Su-35S, that’s too, slowed regarding high-price. In the meantime China offered Bangladesh a $1b loan to buy chinese military aircrafts includes J-10B 4.5th generation fighetr aircraft. BAF also needs J-10B like jet but it can’t c...

Bangladesh Air Force needs to plan about fifth generation stealth fighter jets right now. Many countries around the world going next-generation in aerial warfare. Although, only U.S Air Force and People’s Liberation Army Air Force currently has operational 5th generation fighter aircrafts, almost a dozen of country will have deployed stealth jets within 2025. Bangladesh Air Force must have a long-term modernization planning, which should include fifth generation fighter aircraft. In the near future BAF can go for Chinese Shenyang developed J-31 stealth fighter jet which also known as FC-31 (export designation). Another viable option if Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)’s developing TF-X next generation fighter jet. Introduction of the jet will be in 2023 timeframe. Currently prototype building phase going on in collaboration with British BAE Systems. Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (PAK FA) can also be a BAF’s choice, and it’s going to be operational within next 2019. Moscow will pu...

Reportedly Bangladesh Navy (BN) going to buy Airbus C295 Armed Maritime Patrol Aircraft for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions. Previously Bangladesh Army bought one C295W tactical transport version. Recently published news showed that BN has selected Leonardo SeaSpray AESA for its two upcoming Dornier Do-228NG MPAs.  C295 AMPA is a multirole ASW and maritime surveillance aircraft builds Airbus Defense & Space. Spanish CASA (now is a part of Airbus) manufactures it. This armed maritime aircraft has six hardpoints under its wing, which can carry anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. C295 can engage both surface warships and submarines. It has a pretty good range to monitor the seas. How many Bangladesh Navy would buy it’s not clear now.  Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy both are working jointly to make sure the security of the country’s coastal areas from any aggressor’s misadventures. Especially from burma. Burma’s recent airspace...

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Needs A Fleet of Efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Reduce Pressure on Manned Combat Aircraft. BAF doesn’t operate any capable unmanned aerial system (UAS) or UAVs right now. But, to ensure force’s capabilities it’s now time to acquire some drones to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the regions where manned aircraft operations costs unnecessarily. There are handful options for Bangladesh regarding UAV/UCAVs. First of all China can be the most predictable source as several Chinese surveillance and armed UAVs are emerged as capable system. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group recently unveiled Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) which is the successor of the previous version Wing Loong I. on the other side China Aerospace Science and Industries Corporation (CASIC) also offering it’s new version of the RainBow series armed drones named CH-5, which is the most powerful & capable Chinese combat UAV. Besides these ...