Bangladesh Air Force

Bangladesh Air Force
বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী
Bānglādēśh Bimān Bāhinī

The Crest of the Bangladesh Air Force
Active 1971–present
Country Bangladesh
Allegiance People's Republic of Bangladesh
Type Military aviation
Role Aerial warfare
Size

16000 personnel
3500 pilots
158

aircraft[1]
Part of Bangladesh Armed Forces
Air Headquarters Dhaka Cantonment
Nickname(s) BAF
Patron The President of Bangladesh
Motto(s)

বাংলার আকাশ রাখিব মুক্ত
Transliteration:Banglar Aakash Rakhibo Mukto

(Free shall we keep the sky of Bangladesh)[2]
Colors Light Sky, Deep sky         
Mascot(s) Flying Eagle
Anniversaries Armed Forces Day (21 November)
Engagements Bangladesh Liberation War
Gulf War
Chittagong Hill Tracts operation
United Nations peacekeeping missions
Website www.baf.mil.bd
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, BBP,ndc, acsc
Insignia
Ensign
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack MiG-29, Mi-171, Yak-130
Bomber An-32 (converted)
Fighter MiG-29, F-7
Helicopter Bell 206, Bell 212, Mi-17, AW 139
Interceptor F-7
Reconnaissance F-7
Trainer PT-6, Bell 206, L-39, K-8, YAK 130, L-410
Transport An-32, C-130, L-410

The Bangladesh Air Force (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী, Bangladesh Biman Bahini, reporting name: BAF), is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, primarily tasked with an aerial defence of Bangladesh with a role of providing air support to Bangladesh Army and Navy. The Bangladesh Air Force, being the first line of defence for Bangladesh employs around 16,000 full-time personnel, including 3,500 pilots and currently operates around 158 aircraft.[3] Bangladesh Air Force has a territorial role of providing strategic air transport and logistics capability to Bangladesh. Bangladesh Air Force has been part of major operations such as Operation Desert Storm, Gulf War, and Chittagong Hill Tracts operation. the BAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions. In Defense IQ 2011 International Fighter Aircraft Conference in London, the Air Force revealed their long-term advancement and procurement plan to induct seven squadron fighter jet by 2021.[4]

Bangladesh Air Force An-32

Since its establishment on 21 September 1971, the Air Force has been involved in various combat and humanitarian operations. According to the Constitution of Bangladesh, President of Bangladesh act as the civilian Commander-in-chief, and Chief of Air Staff (COAS), by statute a four-star air officer (Air Chief Marshal), commands the Air Force.[5] The Bangladesh Air Force is currently commanded by Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar,BBP,ndc,acsc.[5][6]

The Bangladesh Air Force was established in 1971 with 300 personnel from Pakistan Air Force.

Location of Bangladesh
Location of Bangladesh.
View of BAF Information and Selection Centre, Dhaka
Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 Taking Part in Flypast of victory day, 2012.
Mil Mi-17 Hip Helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force on UN Mission

History

Foundation

The Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed at the Sector Commanders Conference during its independence war from Pakistan in 1971. Its official date of formation has been established as 28 September 1971 and it was launched formally by the Government on 8 October 1971. Out of 11 BDF Sectors, the most tactically significant sector, the Central Sector - Sector 11, was in command of a BAF officer including Sector 6. A significant number of BAF personnel participated in the Bangladesh War of Independence. Initially, BAF was formed with all officers and airmen of Bengali origin serving in the Pakistan Air Force prior to the war. At that time, the embryo of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was formed with less than a hundred officers and a quite good number of airmen and warrant officers. During the independence war, officers of the BAF attached to the Z-Force were then BD Gov't Representative to Chakulia Guerilla Trng. Camp Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan,[7] 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 Air Commodore Ataur Rahman as sub sector company commanders. Squadron Leader Khademul Bashar participated in the war as Commander-Sector 6.[8]

Bangladesh Air Force was organised in India with the initiative of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud (Ex-PAF Pilot), Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed (Ex-PIA Pilot), Captain Akram Ahmed (Ex-Plant protection Pilot) and Captain Sattar (ex-PIA Pilot) and Captain Sarfuddin (Ex-PIA Pilot). Later many Bangladeshi ex-PAF Officers joined in Bangladesh Air Force in India. Finally, Bangladesh Air Force was formed in late July 1971. Indian Air Force trained these Officers July 1971 through November 1971 as fighter pilots. Bangladesh Air Force first went in action on 3 December 1971 and attacked the Chittagong-based Oil tank depot and oil tank depot was totally destroyed by that air attack. The Air attack was conducted by Capt. Akram Ahmed.[9] The second Bangladesh Air Force attack was on 6 December 1971 at Moulovi Bazar Pakitani Army barracks under the command of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud, where Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed was co-pilot.[10]

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,[11] which was to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of the PAF to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside Bangladesh from the air. The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintage runway at Dimapur, 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. Captain Abdul Khalek, Captain Alamgir Satter, and Captain Abdul Mukit, all destined to earn the Bir Pratik award, piloted the Dakota. The 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. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmood, Flight Lieutenant Bodiul Alam, and Captain Shahabuddin, all of whom later won the Bir Uttam award, operated the helicopter. The 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. Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, along with Captains Akram Ahmed and Sharfuddin Ahmad, flew the Otter - all three were later awarded Bir Uttam for their service in 1971. 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'.

Air Force personnel in 1971

During the Bangladesh War of Independence 1971, many career Air Force officers from eastern Pakistan and airmen participated in different sectors in Bangladesh and also at the headquarters. Below are a list of some notable participants:

Wing Commander M. Hamidullah Khan
PAF-BAF – Deceased; BDF Commander Sector 11
Air Vice-Marshal Khademul Bashar
PAF-BAF – Deceased; BDF Commander Sector 6
Air Vice-Marshal Sadruddin Hossain
PAF-BAF – Retired; BDF Subsetor Commander
Air Commodore Ataur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Kader
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Air Vice-Marshal Sultan Mahmud
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Islam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Group Captain Shamsul Alam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Flight Lieutenant Badrul Alam, Bir Uttom
PAF-BAF - Retired
Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Bir Shreshtho
PAF– Killed during attempt to defect to Bangladesh in 1971.
Flight Lieutenant Liaqat
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Rashid
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flying Officer Rouf
PAF-BAF- Retired
Group Captain AKM Mohsin
PAF-BAF – Deceased
Group Captain Ashraf
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flight Sergeant Abu Yusuf Khan
PAF-BAF – Retired
Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah
PAF-BAF – Retired

Non-combatant staff

Group Captain A K Khandker PAF-BAF – Was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the end of July 1971 under Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Rab who remained in Comilla during the war. His primary responsibility consisted of liaison with local Indian officials and defence personnel at Kalyani, Calcutta.

Distinguished personnel

After independence

After independence, the BAF received a significant donation from the former USSR. Among the aircraft delivered were ten single-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MFs and two twin-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMs. Later China also supplied some equipment.[11]

Apart from the aircraft of Kilo Flight which were donated to 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. Many of these were also returned to service by Bangladeshi ground technicians. The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had many Bengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers. Many of them distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel.

Defence co-operation improved with Pakistan considerably under the military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hossain Mohammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its war ally, India. Common concerns over India's regional power 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.[11] Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) received National colours in 2003 by the then honourable Prime Minister. Even the Recruits’ Training School (RTS) has been awarded with BAF Colours by ex-Chief of Air Staff (AVM Fakhrul Azam) in 2004.

Forces Goal 2030

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 air defence capabilities. Currently, the BAF has concentrated on improving its trainer fleet and air defence capabilities. BAF has taken the delivery of sixteen Chengdu F-7BGI fighter aircraft, nine K-8W basic trainer aircraft, eleven Mil Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters,[12][13] three Let L-410 Turbolet transport trainer aircraft in 2015.[14] By the end of 2015, it will take delivery of eleven Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers and two AgustaWestland AW139 maritime SAR helicopters from 2010 to 2015.[15] BAF is now awaiting to take delivery of five more Yak-130 aircraft, five Mil Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters, new 12 Nanchang PT-6s and one Mil Mi-171E helicopter.[15]

BAF earned the Surface to Air Missile capability by introducing FM-90 short range air defence missile in 2011.[16] Currently, air force is awaiting the delivery of LY-80E medium range SAM system. Bangladesh air force will also receive Italian origin [RAT-31DL] air defence radar very soon.

BAF is also in the process of acquiring new 4th/4++ generations fighters soon. Besides, the force is trying to make its own surveillance drones, which are expected to come in service by 2017.

UN mission deployment

More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, 10 BAF helicopters and are currently deployed to various UN Missions. Another C-130 transport aircraft is providing support to UN Mission in Africa. With the deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the largest troops contributing country in UN Peace Keeping Missions.

List of the Chiefs of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force

Main Article : Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force

No. Name Appointment Date Left Office Decorations
1st Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandker April 7, 1972 October 15, 1975 BU, psa
2nd Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ghulam Tawab October 16, 1975 April 30, 1976 SJ, SBT, psa
3rd Air Vice Marshal Khademul Bashar May 1, 1976 September 1, 1976 BU, TBT
4th Air Vice Marshal Abdul Gafoor Mahmud September 5, 1976 December 8, 1977 TBT, psa
5th Air Vice Marshal Sadruddin Mohammad Hossain December 9, 1977 July 22, 1981 BP
6th Air Vice Marshal Sultan Mahmud July 23, 1981 July 22, 1987 BU
7th Air Vice Marshal Momtaz Uddin Ahmed July 23, 1987 June 4, 1991 psc
8th Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury June 4, 1991 June 3, 1995 ndu, psc
9th Air Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed June 4, 1995 June 3, 2001 ndc, bems, psc
10th Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Rafiqul Islam June 4, 2001 April 8, 2002 ndu, psc
11th Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam April 8, 2002 April 7, 2007 ndc, psc
12th Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman April 8, 2007 June 12, 2012 ndc, fawc, psc
13th Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari June 13, 2012 June 12, 2015 BBP, ndu, psc
14th Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar June 12, 2015 Present BBP, ndc, acsc

Organisational structure

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its HQ at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 3 branches, Operations & Training (Ops. & Trng.), Administration and Special Duties (Admin. & SD) and Material & Maintenance (M & Mte). 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 Group Captain/Air Commodore Rank. Under each Director there are Deputy Directors (DD) headed by Wing Commanders and Staff Officers(SO)with rank of Squadron Leader and below.

  • Office of the Chief of Air Staff (COAS)
  • Air Secretary's Branch
  • Chief Inspectorate
  • Directorate of Air Intelligence
  • Judge Advocate General
  • Operations and Training Branch
  • Directorate of Air Defence
  • Directorate of Air Operations
  • Directorate of Air Traffic Services
  • Directorate of Air Training
  • Directorate of Education
  • Directorate of Flight Safety
  • Directorate of IT
  • Directorate of Meteorology
  • Directorate of Plan
  • Directorate of Recruitment
  • Administrative and Special Duties Branch
  • Directorate of Air Force Security & Investigations (Provost Marshal)
  • Directorate of Administrative Co-ordination
  • Directorate of Finance
  • Directorate of Medical Services
  • Directorate of Personnel
  • Office of the Chief Engineer
  • Directorate of Works
  • Directorate of Welfare and Ceremony
  • Material and Maintenance Branch
  • Directorate of Armament and Weapons
  • Directorate of Communication & Electronics
  • Directorate of Engineering
  • Directorate of Project
  • Directorate of Logistics

Command structure

Shoulder/Sleeve insignia Appointment Rank & Name Star Plate
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, BBP,ndc,acsc, GD(P)[5]
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations & Training) Air Vice Marshal M Nayeem Hassan, afwc, psc, GD(P)
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabad,

ndu, psc, GD(P)
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance) Air Vice Marshal Mazharul Islam, psc, Engg
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Khademul Bashar (Dhaka) Air Vice Marshal Abul Bashar, afwc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bangabandhu (Dhaka) Air Commodore Mofidur Rahman, ndu, afwc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Zahurul Haq (Chittagong) Air Commodore AHM Fazlul Haque, afwc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Matiur Rahman (Jessore) Air Commodore Sheikh Abdul Hannan, nswc, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Paharkanchanpur (Tangail) Air Commodore Md Zahidur Rahman, psc, GD(P)
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Cox's Bazar Air Commodore Md Parvez Islam, ndc, psc, ADWC

Ranks

Commissioned Officer ranks

(in descending order) Bangladesh Bangladesh Air Force

                                       
Air Chief Marshal    Air Marshal    Air Vice-Marshal    Air Commodore    Group Captain    Wing Commander    Squadron Leader    Flight Lieutenant    Flying Officer    Pilot Officer   

Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Ranks

Main article: Bangladesh Air Force rank insignia

In descending order.[17] Bangladesh Bangladesh Air Force

           
Master Warrant Officer    Senior Warrant Officer    Warrant Officer   

Branches (officer)

Bell 206 Long Ranger of Bangladesh Air Force.

Branches of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Trades (Airmen)

Bangladesh Air Force Antonov An-32 Batuzak-1(converted)
Bangladesh Air Force and US Marines in Air Exercise

Trades of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Installations

BAF Headquarters is located in Dhaka Cantonment. There are numerous bases set up all over the country. BAF Base Khademul Bashar Dhaka, BAF Base Bangabandhu Dhaka, BAF Base Zahurul Haque Chittagong and BAF Base Matiur Rahman Jessore are named after National as well as Air Force heroes. Other major bases are BAF Base Pahar Kanchanpur Tangail and Forward Operations Base at Cox's Bazar. There are also several independent units and detachments in places like Moulavibazar Radar Unit (MRU), Bogra Radar Unit (BRU), Lalmonirhat Unit, No. 74 Squadron Bangladesh Air Force at Chittagong and No.71 Squadron Bangladesh Air Force at Dhaka and Shamshernagar.

Bangladesh Air Force Academy is the commissioned officer training academy for all branches of Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF Base Matiur Rahman in Jessore. Recruits Training School is the airman training centre for all trades of Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF C&M Unit Shamshernagar in Moulvibazar.[18]

Aircraft

Current inventory

Bangladesh Air Force MIG-29 running for take off
An Air Force Mil Hip helicopter fly over
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 landing
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Chengdu F-7MB/BG/BG-I Series China fighter 37[19]
MiG-29 Russia multirole 8[19]
Transport
Antonov An-32 Ukraine transport 3[19]
C-130 United States transport C-130B/E 4[19]
L-410 Turbolet Czech Republic transport 3[19]
Helicopters
AW139 Italy MSAR 2[19]
Bell 212 United States utility 14[19]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility / transport Mi-17/171 28 9 on order[19]
Trainer Aircraft
Nanchang PT-6 China Primary Trainer A 24 BAF will get 12 new Nanchang PT-6s to replace the fleet soon.[20]
Chengdu F-7 People's Republic of China jet trainer FT-7 12[19] licensed built MiG-21
Hongdu JL-8 China / Pakistan jet trainer K-8 9 [19]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic primary trainer 7[19]
Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 16 [19]
Bell 206 United States trainer 6[19]

Guided weapons

Name Version Type Used by Notes
PL-2 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
PL-5 E Active Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
PL-7 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGIPRC version of the French Matra Magic R.550 missile.
PL-9 C Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
LT-2 Laser Guided Bomb F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
LS-6 Satellite Guided Bomb F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
Vympel R-73 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile MiG-29
Vympel R-27 BVR Air-to-air missile MiG-29
FM-90 Surface-to-air missile Ground Based Air Defence[21]

Future modernisation programme

The BAF has an ongoing modernisation programme under Forces Goal 2030 to become a strong force to defend the sky of Bangladesh. It has plans to acquire both modern aircraft and air defence capabilities.

The BAF ordered a total of 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 Lead-in fighter trainer from Russia in 2013.[22] Six aircraft were received in 2015 and inducted into fleet while other ten will be delivered within 2016.[15] Besides, Gamma-DE and Kasta 2E RADAR are also ordered from Russia. All these come under $1bn credit line provided by Russia in 2013. BAF also bought five Mil Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters in 2014 and ordered five more in 2015.[15]

Recently the prime minister of Bangladesh declared that Bangladesh Air Force will be turned into a strategically and technically sound, strong, and capable force through its further modernisation by 2021, the Golden Jubilee of the country's independence.[23] She stated that the ageing fleet of Nanchang PT-6 basic trainers will be replaced by new PT-6s.[24]

Bangladesh is also negotiating with the US government for the regeneration, overhaul, modifications and logistics support for four off-the-shelf Lockheed Martin C-130Es, 20 engines and associated parts, equipment, and training for an estimated cost of $180 million.[25]

On 25 January 2015, Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam said that the government has planned to buy some war planes according to Forces Goal 2030 to modernise the air force. He said, the government will buy multirole combat aircraft, medium range fixed wing transport aircraft and helicopter trainer.[26]

Bangladesh Air Force ordered a Selex RAT-31DL L Band AESA radar from Leonardo-Finmeccanica of Italy worth approximately US$19 million. This radar will be set up in Barisal to bolster the security of the southern Bangladesh. [27]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chapter 6: Asia". The Military Balance (2015 ed.). International Institute for Strategic Studies. 17 February 2015. pp. 229–231. ISBN 9781857436426. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bangladesh Air Force motto in English".
  3. ↑ "About Bangladesh Air Force/". mediabangladesh.net. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Bangladesh - Air Force Modernization". Global Security. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "BN, BAF chiefs rank upgraded". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "New Air Force chief Abu Esrar gets rank of Air Marshal". bdnews24.net. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  7. ↑ http://www.banglachic.com/ekattore-uttar-ronangon-p7217.html
  8. ↑ Ministry of Defense Gazette Notification No.8/25/D-1/72-1378, Dated 15 December 1973
  9. ↑ Ahmed, Capt.Akram. YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN AKRAM.
  10. ↑ Ahmed, Capt.Shahabuddin. YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN Shahab.
  11. 1 2 3 "Scramble". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "New Base for Bangladesh Air Force (BAF)". Security-risks.com. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  13. ↑ "Russia to deliver 5 transport combat helicopters to Bangladesh". TASS. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "BD to build fighter planes one day, hopes PM". UNB. 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Self-confidence to take nation forward: PM". Newagebd.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "BAF inducts FM-90 missile system". airforce-technology.com.
  17. ↑ "Join Bangladesh Air Force". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Recruits Training School (RTS)". Bangladesh Air Force.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "World Air Forces 2016 pg. 12". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "BAF to get modern helicopters, planes, says PM". Express. Guangming, China. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "Remain ever ready to protect sovereignty, PM asks air force". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "Bangladesh will get 16 combat trainers soon". New Age. Dhaka. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "Bangladesh Air Force to be modernised by 2021". UNB. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "New aircraft, choppers for BAF soon". The Daily Star. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "Air Force to buy 4 US aircraft". The Daily Star. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "Govt. to buy war planes: Syed Ashraf". Last News BD. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  27. ↑ "Air force to buy long-range radar by Tk 147cr". newagebd.com. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.

External links

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