Defense Update Bangladesh

Bangladesh Air Force actively planning to implement Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in its southern parts, including Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). To ensure ultimate national security Bangladesh feeling the needs of such defensive measures.

Bangladesh Air Force going to install Selex RAT-31DL AESA radar in august. This long-range air search radar will be installed in the Barishal Air Base. Italian defense contractor Leonardo manufactured Selex RAT-31DL active electronically scanned array radar has an instrumented range of 500km and detection range of 470km. Due to this capabilities Bangladesh can detect any hostile aircrafts beyond its border. Hence Bangladesh Air Force will get more time to respond accordingly.  After installing this radar in Barishal base BD Air Force will establish Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This ADIZ will be in the southern part of the country, which covers the main portion of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in the Bay of Bengal and southern districts of the Chittagong division. By this ADIZ Bangladesh sending a message to myanmar air force not to meddle with Dhaka. If they (burmese) violate Bangladesh’s airspace again they’ll be intercepted by and announced hostile as well....

Bangladesh Air Force not buying Mig-35! It is a shocking, though, not surprising as Russia demanded unnatural prices. Firstly Moscow offered Bangladesh their Su-30SME the new variant of the Su-30 family. Then they asked for a price that is usually very high from others they got.  After that BAF opt for Su-35 and again, Russia played its price card and asked BAF to buy their Mig-35 along with it. If Bangladesh don’t buy Mig-35 then Russia said they’ll not sell Su-35 to Dhaka. Under this circumstance, MRCA program stalled. After long negotiation process Bangladesh opt out Russian jets and seeking a single-engine multirole fighter jet from somewhere else.

Headquarters of Myanmar air force is in Naipitow, the new capital city of burma. China & Russia is the main aviation supplier of Myanmar. Current Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Air Force is General Maung Maung Kyaw.  This is the third and last part of this documentary.

Myanmar air force documentary shows almost all of its aircraft inventory. MAF has 277 aircrafts along with 23,000 active personnel.

Myanmar Air Force is the aerial warfare branch. It was founded in 1947, 70 years ago. it’s role to provide air support to the myanmar army and navy.

Three armed forces of Myanmar participated in a joint war game to synchronize forces interoperability. Third part of it is here.

Myanmar Military ‘Sin Phyu Shin’ Joint Exercise – 2018 [Part-2]

Myanmar armed forces conducted joint military drill termed as ‘Sin Phyu Shin’. Here is the first part of it.

This is a relatively comparative analysis between the Bangladesh Air Force’s upcoming J-10C and Myanmar Air Force’s JF-17M. Reportedly Bangladesh ordered 16 Chengdu J-10s in a recent time. On the other hand myanmar supposed shortly to take delivery of their ordered 16 JF-17 Thunder block-2 fighter jets.

BD Air Force started to modernize their existing eight Mig-29 fighter jets to the latest “SMT” variant. This modernization includes new multi-mode multifunctional fire control radar, better performance engine, other advanced avionics and latest weaponry with BVR air-to-air missiles.  Bangladesh Air Force has six single-seat & two twin-seat Mig-29s which were bought from Russia in 2000. Already these fighter jets of BAF has been overhauled two times. These are the most advanced fighter jets Bangladesh has in its advanced combat jet inventory.  On the other side, myanmar air force also proceeding to upgrade their 31 Mig-29s. Currently the relations between Bangladesh and myanmar disrupted severely over Rohingya genocide issues. Myanmar air force helicopters also violated Bangladesh’s airspace several times, though, Dhaka restrained from shooting them down.  As experts saying, if Bangladesh Air Force doesn’t briefly increase their advanced fighter jet number...

Reportedly, Bangladesh Air Force ordered one squadron of Chengdu J-10C fighter jets from China. As experts suggests, many observe that J-10C incorporated some stealth technology from the J-20 stealth fighter. BAF wants to replace their older F-7BG fleet with 4.5th generation fighters. Initially 16 aircrafts has been ordered, but in future whole fleet of 37 “BGI” will be replaced by this advanced J-10C fighter jets.  In midst of 2017 Bangladesh Air Force issued an international tender to purchase 8 (+40 Medium Range Combat Aircrafts, well known as the MRCA tender. Along with Russian Su-30SME, Mig-35 Chengdu J-10B was a participant. BAF selected Su-30SME as the primary winner, but later the deal has not been signed due high-price tagging from Moscow.  After that, RSK-Mig offered their Mig-35 multipurpose fighter jet to Bangladesh with some sort of transfer-of-technology. Meanwhile, BAF finalized a deal for 16 J-10C fighter jets from China. This “Chinese deal” was in...

Bangladesh Air Force conducted live air-to-air missile firing test recently to calibrate and augment air warfare capabilities. In this training Mig-29, F-7BGI and L-39ZA aircrafts participated. All the combat planes were from the Kurmitola Air Base. This training exercise was successful.

Myanmar Air Force ordered six Russian Su-30 fighter jets, announcement came during General Shoigu’s visit there. Along with these combat aircrafts, burmese military will also procure some more equipment from Moscow. $200 million has been allotted to buy six Su-30. As per the total price mentioned each of the Sukhoi will costs around $34 million.  But, there’s no information about the exact variant of the myanmar air force’s Su-30s. The latest variant that Bangladesh Air Force wanted to buy is the “Su-30SME” which will cost around $60 million. And, except indian air force’s Su-30MKI other variants are not in production. So, definitely Russia will export their grounded baseline Sukhoi-30 to myanmar.  Previously, Moscow exported grounded indian Su-30MKIs to the Angolan Air Force. Those were upgraded in Russia. As the latest variants are much expensive platform so burma surely buying older ones. Not the latest Su-30SME variant.  Bangladesh Air Force was mainly in...

Bangladesh Air Force newly purchased 8 Russian Su-35 advanced multirole fighter jets. Previously BAF wanted to buy Su-30SME but later it choose better than that. Eight Fulcrum-F fighter aircrafts will boost Bangladesh’s air power in an unprecedented level. Bangladesh Air Force ordered the Su-35ME variant, which came as a new derivative. The expected delivery date isn’t published yet. And Dhaka didn’t make any announcement yet, too. Hope, very soon both party will brief about this Su-35 dealings.  On the other side of the Moscow’s military diplomacy they sold six Su-30 to the myanmar air force. Russian news agency Tass reported that the deal has been signed during Russian defence minister Sregey Shoigu’s visit to the country. Bangladesh’s purchase of Su-35 may irk india. It is surely give an edge over the myanmar air power. But, indian air force may face serious challenge in the region due to advancement making by the Bangladesh Air Force. Earlier we learned that a squa...

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...

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...

Recently Bangladesh shopping some high-tech military equipment for its armed forces from across the globe.  Directorate General Defense Purchase (DGDP) overlooks the purchasing processes. Bangladesh Air Force has making a deal with United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force for two of its Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical medium airlifter. Currently BAF operating four Lockheed Martin C-130B/E Hercules and wants some few more. C-130J Super Hercules is the latest advanced version with an upgraded engine and other advanced systems and sensors. This aircraft has sought huge success in the military transport aircraft market while almost 300 unit has been built various customers.  Bangladesh Air Force acquiring C-130J Super Hercules planes to enhance military air operations under “Forces Goal – 2030”. And, these aircrafts can also be used during any natural disaster management operation as Bangladesh is a highly natural calamities prone country.

Bangladesh Army (BA) will buy Russian Pantsir S1 Surface-to-Air Missile Gun system. Bangladesh Military power increasing by acquiring most advanced weapons systems. Bangladesh Air Force already deployed Chinese FM-90B SHORAD system. Russian Pantsir S1 is an incredible air defense system which will boost Bangladesh’s defense capabilities.  Low to extremely low flying aerial targets can be engaged with high probabilities of hit by this SAM system. Pantsir S1 can detect, track and hit aircrafts, helicopters, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, UAVs etc. It has a limited capabilities to engage ground targets too. This SAM system can fire some armor-piercing projectiles.  The 30mm dual cannon designed from the aircraft gun and its rounds has a maximum range of 4km while minimum is 2 meter. This dual gun system has firing speed of 5000 rpm and can carry 1400 rounds in its cell and it’s fully automated.  Russian Air Defense Forces and Aerospace Forces has ...