Bangladesh could buy fighters and missiles to Russia (expert)

In all likelihood, Bangladesh use the credit granted by Moscow to buy armored vehicles, aircraft and air defense missiles Russia, believes Igor Korotchenko, director of the Center for Global Trade Analysis weapons, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday .

President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday after talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh that Moscow would give credit to a billion dollars for the purchase of arms and military equipment to Russia.

"This is primarily a large batch of vehicles to transport troops BTP-80. Their number could vary between 80 and 100 units," said Mr. Korotchenko.

"The second segment includes systems antiaircraft missiles of short and medium-range," continued the Russian expert.

"Finally, given the fact that Bangladesh has previously bought MiG-29, it is hoped that he will sign with Russia a contract for the repair and modernization of these devices, as well as the purchase of new Russian fighter MiG-29SMT, "said Mr. Korotchenko.

He also believes that Bangladesh continue to import Russian helicopters, including Mi-171Ch.

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"These are the types of weapons that the country needs and that Russia could buy," said the expert.

Bangladesh : Two French helicopters inducted into Army Aviation fleet

Two French made multi-role high speed twin engine helicopters have been inducted into the Army Aviation fleet increasing significantly the disaster management support capability of Bangladesh Army.

The two modern helicopters have been enrolled into the Army Aviation through an auspicious commissioning ceremony held at Army Aviation Complex at Tejgaon Old Airport Wednesday morning.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith was the chief guest at the ceremony while Army Chief Gen. Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan also spoke on the occasion.

Army Aviation, the integral flying organ of Bangladesh Army, operates both fixed wing and rotary aircrafts in its fleet for undertaking tasks like troops’ transportation, conduct of para dropping and rappelling exercise for army, aerial movement of logistics and combat supply.

Army Aviation is also now set to participate in UN peacekeeping operation with its helicopters fleet to further augment foreign exchange earning effort by Bangladesh Army.
 

F-7 (Jian-7) Fighter Jets of The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF)

F-7 (Jian-7) Fighter Jets of the Bangladesh Air Force.

These F-7 Fighter Jets are operated by the Bangladesh Air Force's ThunderCats Squadron

Bangladesh Navy purchases two modern Do 228NG’s

Following customers in Japan, Norway and Germany, the Bangladesh Navy has purchased two modern Do 228NG (New Generation) turboprop aircraft.

The aircraft will be used for maritime air patrol and rescue mission along the countries’ coastline. The two Do 228NGs are the first fixed wing aircraft to be purchased by the Bangladesh Navy for patrolling its coast line. For this purpose, both aircraft are being equipped with special equipment for maritime air patrol operations. This includes radio and navigation aid and other selected systems as well as rescue equipment.

Cost-effectiveness and ease of use seal the decision in Do 228NG’s favour With the Do 228NG, RUAG Aviation has asserted itself against the competition. "The cost-effectiveness and, despite its sophisticated technology, ease of use sealed the decision in favour of the Do 228NG," enthuses Alexander Müller, Vice President Military Aviation Germany. In addition to the two aircraft, the contract includes comprehensive pilot and aircraft maintenance training for the Navy ground crew on location. Delivery of both aircraft is scheduled for early summer 2013.

Military Transport - Air Force to buy 4 US aircraft

In a bid to modernise the tactical transport aircraft fleet of the Air Force, Bangladesh will purchase four Lockheed MC-130Es from the United States at an estimated cost of $180 million.
 
According to the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the second-hand Hercules.
 
The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defence articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
 
DSCA notified the US Congress on May 22 of “a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bangladesh to provide regeneration, overhaul, modification, and logistics support for four Lockheed Martin C-130Es and associated parts, equipment, and training for an estimated cost of $180 million.”
 
“The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by enabling the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations.
 
“It will also improve the commonality and interoperability of the BAF and the US Air Force. The proposed sale of support will help to modernise the BAF's aging cargo aircraft fleet. The C-130E will provide Bangladesh with an improved capability for the movement of cargo and personnel in humanitarian missions,” said the Pacific Sentinel quoting DSCA.
 
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, it said adding “There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.”
 
The prime contractor will be determined via competitive bid. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
 
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to Bangladesh, the Pacific Sentinel said.
 
The Lockheed MC-130 is the basic designation for a family of special mission aircraft operated by the US Air Force Special Operations Command.

One U.S. Air Force Airman shared his knowledge of heavy equipment airdrop procedures with an audience of more than 20 Bangladesh air force airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh,

KURMITOLA AIR BASE, Bangladesh | One U.S. Air Force Airman shared his knowledge of heavy equipment airdrop procedures with an audience of more than 20 Bangladesh air force airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh, April 22, 2012.
 
Tech. Sgt. Joshua Shelby, loadmaster, Kentucky Air National Guard, is one of more than 65 U.S. Air Force Airmen participating in Cope South 2012, a bilateral tactical airlift exercise conducted with the Bangladesh and U.S. Air Forces.
 
This year, Cope South participants exchange airlift, air-land, and airdrop delivery techniques, and develop and expand combined airlift capabilities with the Bangladesh air force.
 
Shelby shared the effect of air speed, altitude and wind speeds on parachutes upon deployment of a C-130 and other conditions to consider when conducting an air drop.
 
"The Bangladesh air force may be able to integrate some of our procedures into theirs," Shelby said. "This exchanges allows us to share our capabilities, discuss different methods and demonstrate how to do everything safely."
 
Safety and terrain maneuvering are paramount issues for the Bangladesh air force.
 
"In our country, we practice more with paratroopers," Maj. Arman Chokldhuvy, squadron commander . "We want to experience how the U.S. Air Force flies in our terrain and use it to help guide us to be safer in low-level flying during airdrops and deliveries."
 
In this exchange of learning, the major said he hopes his team learns different airdrop procedures and identify possible improvements to their procedures.
 
"We're expecting to learn different flying techniques and aspects of flight to assist us with delivering heavy loads for disaster management missions," he added.
 
The exchanges will enhance Bangladesh and U.S. Air Forces ability to respond to regional disasters.
 
Throughout the six-day exercise, participants are scheduled to conduct cooperative flight operations, to include aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop and air-land missions as well as conduct subject-matter expert exchanges in the operations, maintenance and rigging disciplines.

Air Force getting multibillion dollar revamp ( Bangladesh )

Dhaka, Apr 15 (bdnews24.com) – The government has initiated a 'massive programme' to technologically advance the Bangladesh Air Force, a parliamentary watchdog says in a report.
 
The multibillion dollar programme include purchase of fighters, advanced jet trainers, radar and other equipment from Russia, China and other countries.
 
"Bangladesh installed short range air defence (SHORAD) system in December last year. It signed agreements last year to buy one squadron (16) of F-7 BGI fighter planes, three MI-171 helicopters and two AD radars," revealed a report of the parliamentary standing committee on planning ministry.
 
"Bangladesh will also procure one squadron of MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) advanced jet trainers and high-powered radar under long-term loan protocol from Russia," it added.
 
Modernisation
 
Under the modernisation plan announced by the Awami League-led government, new weapons and reconnaissance have been added to the force, says the report, a copy of which is available with bdnew24.com.
 
"The government has asked us to give a modernisation plan. Accordingly we provided the plan and working on it," said a senior Air Force official who is familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity.
 
"We never had SHORAD, but now we have installed it. Also, we laid foundation to set up Bangabandhu aeronautical technology centre where we can have test launch and repair our planes," he said.
 
"We have signed a couple of agreements with Russia and China and expect to get the delivery in phases starting from this year," the official said. "We hope to get a couple of BGI fighter planes from China this year."
 
Intense study
 
Officials say the Air Force purchases highly technical gadgets and for that intense study is necessary.
 
"It takes about two years of study before an order is placed to buy a particular type of plane," he said.
 
"Over the years we have developed negotiation skills to bargain for Bangladesh-specific products and to not purchase what is available with the manufacturers," he explained.
 
"We have courses at the staff college where we teach and learn about this study and negotiations," the official said. "Often we inquire about the quality of a product from consumers, not from manufacturers."
 
"The purchase contracts include all the technical details, photographs of the products and conditions regarding supply of spare parts and other accessories," the Air Force official continued.
 
Training
 
The watchdog's report said a total of 3,122 Air Force members will get training in the current fiscal year and out of them 120 would be trained overseas.
 
In the Medium Term Budget Framework (MTBF), it was revealed that the Air Force would replace 16 fighter planes and 16 training planes.
 
The Air Force earmarked Tk 17.66 billion in spending for fiscal 2011-12, which will jump to Tk 25.49 billion in 2015-16 fiscal year.

Bangladesh air force imports Chinese FM-90 missile system

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday inaugurated the induction of first ever China-made surface-to-air missile system into the Bangladesh Air force (BAF) saying her government would continue its efforts for modernisation of the country’s armed forces.
 
The Bangladesh armed forces have witnessed a significant improvement during the tenure of the Awami League government and the process would continue in future, she said while addressing a function on the occasion at Kurmitola Base of the BAF in Dhaka city.
 
The prime minister said: “Today is a historic day for the BAF as induction of this short range air defense system is a big step forward towards modernisation of the air force.”
 
She referred to her government’s steps taken for modernisation of the air force during the period of 1996-2001, and said: “In this tenure we have already completed a full-fledged air base and maintenance unit in Cox’s Bazar while many other development projects aregoing on.”
 
She said: “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman soon after the independence initiated for building a modern and well-equipped armed forces. In his initiative, sophisticated Mig- 21 fighter plane and cargo aircraft, helicopter and radar were inducted in the air force.”
 
In continuation of that process, the Awami League government during its previous tenure introduced various equipment and fighter planes including Mig-29 and F-7, new jet training aircraft and helicopter for the BAF.
 
The prime minister urged the members of the BAF to acquire professional skills and build them as efficient pilots, engineers and air force personnel. “Hard labour, acquisition of new technologies, and correct application of the acquired knowledge are essential for a modern air force,” she noted.
 
The FM-90 surface to air missile system, introduced with the support of China, has an advanced all-weather surface to air missile system. This ground based air defence weapon system is capable of engaging targets flying at low or very low altitude. As the prime minister arrived at the Kurmitola Air Base, Chief of the BAF Air Marshal Shah M Ziaur Rahman received her.
 
On this occasion a colourful march past of the air force was held. The prime minister inspected the march past and took salute.
 
The inauguration ceremony was followed by an attractive fly past by jet fighters of the air force.

Bangladesh Eyes China Arms

China has again underlined its strategic influence in what India might once have considered its own backyard, with the announcement of the latest in a string of arms sales to Bangladesh.
 
Dhaka is procuring 44 Chinese MBT-2000s main battle tanks, Bangladeshi media have reported, for around $162 million. This represents a significant purchase for a country with a 2011 defence budget of $1.6 billion, and it’s the first time that Bangladesh has obtained newly assembled MBTs. The army currently has an inventory of around 200 older Chinese tanks, which have been upgraded with Beijing’s assistance to keep them in service. One of China’s other key regional allies, Pakistan, also operates the MBT-2000.
 
China isn’t the sole supplier of military equipment to Dhaka, which has also sourced military technology (most of it second hand) from Italy, Russia, South Korea, the UK and the United States in recent years, while announcing the purchase of two new army helicopters from French firm Eurocopter alongside the MBT purchase. But Beijing has established itself as Bangladesh’s go-to ally when it comes to military procurement, and stands to be the main beneficiary as Bangladesh attempts to refurbish its army, navy and air force in spite of budgetary constraints. China has supplied armoured personnel carriers, fighter aircraft and frigates to Bangladesh within the last couple of years.
 
 
Dhaka’s limited defence funds mean that arms sales have more strategic than economic value from China’s perspective. Beijing is already bankrolling the construction of a deep-water port at Sonadia, near Cox’s Bazar, where the Bangladeshi government is also constructing an advanced air base to help it protect its offshore interests in the Bay of Bengal. China is working on similar commercial port projects in Burma, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in what has been widely interpreted as a robust strategic challenge to Indian influence in the South Asian region.
 
Bangladesh’s growing dependence on Chinese weapon systems could also see the country become the first export customer after Pakistan for the Chinese-built FC-1/JF-17 and FC-20/J-10 fighter aircraft, both of which were built by China with foreign sales in mind. Beijing will be lobbying hard for Dhaka to agree to procure the jets – perhaps even offering loans to make the procurement happen – in order to give its export models some early traction.
 
The second-hand submarine that Bangladesh is seeking in order to further safeguard its offshore assets is also likely to be sourced from China. Despite an interest in contributing more fully to international peace-keeping missions, the protection of those offshore energy resources in the face of competition from India and Burma is Bangladesh’s prime motivation. Close ties with China will also benefit the country in its local rivalry with Burma, another Chinese ally but one that Beijing regards as more problematic than the Bangladeshis. The protection of its sometimes restive border with Burma – which also operates Chinese tanks, though not the new MBT-2000 – will be one of the main contingencies for Bangladesh’s newly procured armour.

Bangladesh Air Force Ordered 16 F-7BGI Fighter Aircraft

 

According to Russian military messenger, Nov. 18 reported that the Bangladesh Air Force Ziao Rahman recently in London at the '2011 International Fighter conference,' said China has ordered the country's 16 new F-7BGI light aircraft will be delivered beginning in 1012, but he did not disclose other details about the transaction information. Analysts pointed out that these F-7BGI may be used to replace Bashar Meng Air Force Base (located near Dhaka Mon 21 Squadron equipped with the old-fashioned Chinese-made A-5C attack aircraft. Meng said the Air Force Commander, F-7BGI China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group Company F-7-based research and development of new models, equipped with improved airborne equipment, including 'hand throttle lever' (ie 'hands on the bar 'control device, three multi-function cockpit displays and a HUD. The machine also has GPS system for navigation bomb throwing ability due to Bangladesh's orders, the legendary MiG-21 fighter production will continue to 2012.

Bangladesh Air Force in 2006, equipped with 16 F-7BG fighters and four FT-7BG coach - fighters, while in the earlier 1989-2000 period, Meng also received the Air Force installed 16 F-7MB fighter and 8 FT-7MB trainer aircraft - fighters these fighters (now there are 23 still in service were single-seat fighter and trainer aircraft were currently eight equipment in the MENG 5th and 35th Air Force squadron.
Meng also said the Air Force commander, purchasing F-7BGI is the new generation of fighter aircraft in the Air Force before the transitional measures adopted in the next 13-15 years, 20-32 Meng Air Force plans to buy new fighter aircraft, and most promising candidate models, including the U.S. F-16 and Russia's MiG-29SMT. In addition, Sweden's JAS-39 and Russian Su-30 may also participate in the competition. It is reported that Meng Air Force also plans to purchase in 1999 of its 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to modernize modification, and will also purchase a new trainer to replace the existing fleet of old L-39.
In addition, the Bangladesh Air Force will purchase a number of new trainer aircraft, used to replace the existing fleet of L-39, while its equipment in 1999, 8 Russian-made MiG-29 fighters will be in the next few years been upgraded