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 perform

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 Hurkus basi

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 class.