Defense Update Bangladesh

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...

China giving $1 billion to Bangladesh Air Force to buy Chengdu J-10B, Y-20 heavy lift transport aircraft and many more. A Russian blog and East Pendulum twitter account tweeted that Bangladesh and China negotiating each-other for $1 bn arms deal almost all of which is related to aircrafts. China offered 16 Chengdu J-10B, 1 Xian Y-20 heavy lift military transport aircraft, 1 Shaanxi KJ-200 AEW&C aircraft, and 7 K-8W Karakorum intermediate jet trainer aircrafts to Bangladesh Air Force.    China trying to counter india’s $500 million loan to Bangladesh to buy Russian weapons. It is now prestige issue for Beijing to maintain high-ground regarding Dhaka. Delhi offered military training, arms and other supports during indian defense minister monohor porikar’s Dhaka visit, which Bangladesh Armed Forces rejected then.         Still this is a rumor, though, experts believe that what is rumored regarding China-Bangladesh military dealings is true. Because p...