Bangladesh - Air Force

[fatman17]

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Date Posted: 27-Nov-2009

Jane's World Air Forces

Bangladesh - Air Force

Summary
Assessment
Deployments, tasks and operations
Role and Deployment
Recent and Current Operations
Command and control
Organisation
Order of Battle
Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine
Bases
Training
Training Areas
Air Force procurement
Combat
Utility
UAV
Trainer
Modernisation
Equipment in service
Fixed Wing
Rotary Wing
Missiles

Bangladesh - Air Force

Summary

STRENGTH
6,500
COMBAT
CAC F-7, MiG-29 'Fulcrum', A-5C-III 'Fantan'
COMMUNICATIONS / TRANSPORT
Mi-17 'Hip-H', An-32 'Cline', C-130B Hercules


Assessment

The Bangladesh Air Force (Bangladesh Biman Bahini - BAF), has little combat capability and limited transport resources. The multiplicity of types of aircraft and sources of spares, training, logistical, servicing and maintenance requirements inherent in supporting its diverse inventory have adversely affected operational effectiveness.

The BAF has been plagued by a lack of funds and vision, as well as subjected to the vagaries of political influence and allegations of corruption in procurement programmes. China continues to be the main source of combat aircraft today, illustrated most recently in 2006-07 with the delivery of a dozen CAC F-7BG fighters and four FT-7BG two-seaters.

In 1999, Bangladesh obtained eight MiG-29 'Fulcrum' combat aircraft (including two UB trainers), which were declared operational by mid-2000. Given the economic situation and the cost of Western aircraft, the switch to Moscow as a source of sophisticated combat aircraft appeared inevitable, but the circumstances in which the purchase went ahead were opaque. The initiative was controversial from the beginning, with the eight aircraft, plus spares and related services, costing USD124 million, while annual operating costs were estimated at USD17.42 million. The MiGs were grounded and in July 2002 the government announced that it planned to sell them. However, no such sale has been reported and it appears they have been returned to service, in spite of greatly increased operating costs and problems with spares.

The US has also provided some assistance, most notably in the form of Cessna T-37 jet trainers and C-130B Hercules transport aircraft, along with considerable technical assistance and spares support.

Deployments, tasks and operations

Role and Deployment

The main tasks are air defence and the provision of airlift support, (both fixed wing and rotary), in disaster relief operations. Operational experience has been limited to providing support to army units engaged in counter-insurgency missions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Despite the acquisition of new fighters, the BAF would find it difficult to perform well in an air defence or tactical support role within an adverse environment.

Recent and Current Operations

Bangladesh deployed two Bell 212 helicopters and 34 personnel to East Timor in support of the UN mission (UNMISET), and in 2005 sent Mi-17s with support staff to the UN force in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Support of UN operations looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, with the UN reportedly funding the acquisition of five Mi-17s. Some humanitarian operations have also been undertaken, with the most recent instance coming in the aftermath of the Myanmar cyclone disaster of May 2008, when Bangladesh despatched a C-130 and an An-32 to aid the subsequent relief work.

Command and control

Minister of Defence: Iajuddin Ahmed
Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Shah Mohammed Ziaur Rahman

The Chief of Air Staff, Shah Mohammed Ziaur Rahman, was appointed in April 2007 and promoted to Air Marshal in May 2007, the position having previously been of two star Air Vice Marshal rank. Command and control arrangements are conventional, along the lines of the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces, with one star officers responsible for oversight of operations, personnel and matériel.

Bangladesh: Air Force Chain of Command

Organisation

The combat arm was originally equipped with a few Canadair Sabres that had been left behind in the Pakistani withdrawal of 1971. These were soon bolstered by a number of MiG-21MF 'Fishbed-J' fighters supplied by the Soviet Union shortly after independence. Organisation was ad hoc, matching people and equipment as each element became available. Repatriation of Bangladeshi service personnel from Pakistan in 1973-74 allowed significant restructuring, with tables of organisation and equipment designed to mirror those of Pakistan, although the scale remained far more modest. In the late 1970s, major changes in the country's political circumstances led to security linkages with China and Pakistan rather than with India and the Soviet Union, although the trend was broken with the MiG-29 acquisition in 1999.

Aircraft have been obtained from three main sources: Russia (An-32, Mi-17, MiG-29), China (A-5, F-7, PT-6) and the US (C-130 Hercules, Bell 212 and T-37). In 1989-90, Pakistan transferred some 24 obsolete F-6 aircraft to Bangladesh, but most of these were destroyed, still crated, in the 1991 floods.

Order of Battle

Unit Base Type Role

1 Squadron Chittagong-Patenga Mi-17 Utility
3 Squadron Chittagong-Patenga An-32 Transport
5 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola F-7MB Air Defence
5 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola F-7BG Air Defence
5 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola FT-7 Air Defence Training
8 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola MiG-29 Air Defence
8 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola MiG-29UB Air Defence Training
9 Squadron Dhaka-Tejgaon (detachment at Chittagong) Bell 212 Utility
Detachment Chittagong-Patenga Bell 212 Utility
21 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola A-5C, FT-6 Attack / Training
25 Squadron (OCU) Chittagong-Patenga L-39 Combat Training
31 Squadron Dhaka-Tejgaon Mi-17 Transport
33 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola C-130B Transport
35 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola F-7MB Air Defence
35 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola F-7BG Air Defence
35 Squadron Dhaka-Kurmitola FT-7 Air Defence Training
Air Force Academy Jessore
11 Squadron Shamshernagar PT-6 Training
15 Squadron Jessore T-37B Training
18 Squadron Jessore Bell 206L Training

Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine

In the 1980s a draft joint services operational doctrine was devised with the Air Force Headquarters and the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) - largely at the behest of the armed forces division of the president's secretariat. This envisaged collaboration among all three Bangladeshi military services. In recent years, the air arm has participated in at least two joint exercises with the army and navy, but with limited scope and utility. The effectiveness of such collaboration has been negated by the lack of a national defence doctrine backed by government, and the manner in which each service has developed its own institutional structures and operational practices.

In strategic terms, the air arm's primary failure has been an inability to participate in shaping a national defence doctrine involving an air component, and then submitting to government reasoned proposals for organising and equipping itself to match the consequent requirements. Frequent reports of airspace violations by Indian aircraft, and Bangladesh's inability to intercept any of them, are demonstrative of major weaknesses. The threat to the country in real terms is minimal, however, and this, combined with financial restrictions in what is one of the world's poorest countries, militates against reorganisation consistent with any agreed national defence priority.

Bases

Barisal (22° 48' 03" N; 90° 18' 04" E)
Bogra (24° 51' 59" N; 89° 18' 59" E)
Chittagong-Patenga (Zahurul Haq) (22° 14' 58" N; 91° 48' 47" E)
Dhaka-Tejgaon (Bashar) (23° 46' 42" N; 90° 22' 58" E)
Dhaka-Kurmitola (Bashar) (23° 50' 36" N; 90° 23' 52" E)
Jessore (Matiur Rahman) (23° 11' 01" N; 89° 09' 39" E)
Shamshernagar (24° 23' 57" N; 91° 54' 44" E)

BAF HQ is at BAF Base Bashar, Dhaka. Airfields at Barisal and Shamshernagar are being refurbished for military use, with the latter reportedly now having taken over responsibility for basic flying training from the base at Bogra. Airfields at Kurmitola and Tejgaon are collectively known as BAF Base Bashar.

Training

All pilots (current totalling over 400) receive basic training at the Air Force Academy, which uses PT-6 (piston), and T-37B and L-39ZA Albatros (jet) trainers and LongRanger helicopters. Initial training in the PT-6 was undertaken at Bogra but appears to have moved to Shamshernagar, which was due to be renovated and reactivated as a flying base. Intermediate and advanced training phases are thought to remain at Jessore, but may eventually also transfer to Shamshernagar. Some pilot training has also been accomplished in China at the Flight Test and Training Centre at Cangzhou; this appears to have been undertaken on the JJ-7 and may have been linked to the recent purchase of the F-7BG fighter.

Training Areas

Air training areas are notified in NOTAMs and are confined to minor exercises, mainly interceptor practice close to air force bases. Fighter leader training flights take place in the airspace above the country's maritime boundary. Weapons ranges are known to be located at Kutubdia in Chittagong and Rasulpur in Tangail, with the former being employed for a major live fire exercise involving most combat aircraft types as recently as March 2008. In May 2008, elements of the BAF undertook joint training with the USAF's 353rd Special Operations Group in exercise 'Teak Buffalo' which was staged from Kurmitola.

Air Force procurement

In the absence of a joint-services operational doctrine based on national security requirements and threat perception, Air Headquarters operates in isolation and procurement plans appear undefined. From its own perspective, the air arm needs to expand its inventory of both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, at the same time as it reduces the number and variety of types and sources, and seeks to standardise practices and procedures.

Combat

Despite the recent delivery of F-7BG combat aircraft, the air force wishes to acquire a more modern multi-role type, but expense is the major negative factor in realisation of its proposal. During the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister in September 2005, the China-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder aircraft was discussed at a meeting between Mr Shaukat Aziz and Bangladesh's Chief of Air Staff, but there appear to have been no further developments. Given that the A-5C 'Fantan' attack aircraft is expected to be retired in the fairly near future, a replacement will need to be procured in short order. A multirole fighter such as the Chinese J-10 could well offer a solution to this and ultimately also be obtained as an F-7 replacement, allowing Bangladesh to consolidate on a single combat aircraft type.

Utility

Some new Mil Mi-17 and Mi-171 helicopters were received in 2005-06, when at least five more were expected to join the inventory. Funding for these is provided by the UN, on whose behalf they will initially be operated.

UAV

Thus far, Bangladesh has no experience of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, but that appears likely to change in the near future. An air force evaluation team was reportedly engaged in a study of potential candidates during the first half of 2006, but no sign of progress has been apparent since then.

Trainer

The BAF is preparing to invest in new aircraft, with the procurement of trainer aircraft its initial priority as the fleet of Chinese-built Nanchang PT-6 (CJ-6) basic trainers is now 30 years old and will need replacing soon. A new jet trainer aircraft is also needed, although this is of less immediate concern, with the L-39ZA Albatros considered good for several more years of service. In the interim, additional examples of both the T-37 and L-39ZA were reported to have been received in the past few years. In the case of the former type, Bangladesh was apparently due to obtain 19 former Pakistani T-37Bs, while at least four L-39ZAs were reportedly on order for delivery from 2000, backed up by the acquisition of three examples from surplus Romanian stocks. In both instances, however, there is no evidence of any deliveries having taken place and it has recently been confirmed that the T-37Bs are still in storage in Pakistan.

Modernisation

The induction of eight MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighters and four C-130 B Hercules transports in 1999-2001 signalled modest progress in modernisation efforts, providing more advanced platforms to improve operational capabilities.

However, the commissioning of these assets increased the number of types in operation, further complicating an already difficult servicing, maintenance, training and logistic regime. The number of units involved was too small to make a significant operational impact and the government's decision to sell the MiG-29s in mid-2002 raised new questions about a coherent vision of where the air arm was going in terms of force structure and modernisation plans. This decision has since been reversed, with the MiG-29s returned to the operational inventory and augmented through the acquisition of additional F-7 fighters from China in 2006-2007.

Equipment in service

Fixed Wing

Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
MiG-29SE 'Fulcrum-A' MiG Fighter - Interceptor / Air Defence 8 61 1999
F-7MB Airguard CAC Fighter - Interceptor / Air Defence 16 9 1989
F-7BG CAC Fighter - Interceptor / Air Defence 12 12 2006
A-5C-III 'Fantan' NAMC Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 16 8 1992
An-32 'Cline' Antonov Transport 4 3 1989
C-130B Hercules Lockheed Martin Transport 4 4 2001
PT-6 Nanchang Trainer 43 36 1979
FT-6 SAC Trainer 10 10 1991
L-39ZA Albatros Aero Trainer 8 7 1995
T-37B Cessna Trainer 12 11 1997
FT-7 GAIC Trainer 8 6 1989
MiG-29UB 'Fulcrum-B' MiG Trainer 2 2 1999
Note:
Two reported non-operational in early 2008.


Rotary Wing

Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
212 Bell Utility 16 10 1980
Mi-17 'Hip-H' Mil Utility 15 15 1992
Mi-17-1V 'Hip-H' Mil Utility 2 21 2006
Mi-171 Mil Utility 32 3 2005
206L LongRanger Bell Trainer 3 3 1981
Notes:
In VIP configuration, primarily for use as executive transports.
Additional five to be funded by the United Nations for peacekeeping missions.


Missiles

Type Manufacturer Role
AA-2 'Atoll' Vympel Air-to-Air
AA-10 'Alamo' Vympel Air-to-Air
AA-11 'Archer' Vympel Air-to-Air
AA-12 'Adder' Vympel Air-to-Air
PL-2 'Atoll' CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-5E CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-7 CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-9C Luoyang Air-to-Air

UPDATED
Nov-2009

[akash57]

hmmm, the air force is in pretty bad shape..
we have a few f-7's but theyre not good compared to what most nations like pak. and india have
some mig-29's which are good but high maintenance costs and very few in service. luckily, theres been a 10 yr modernization plan announced that includes the procurement of a squadron of fighters, lets hope that turns out well
i would like to see more co-op between bdesh and pak without anyone referring to '71 in every sector being the 2 largest muslims majority countries in the region, if only people looked at the big picture instead of dwelling over small differerences

[illuminatidinesh]

So Easy to forget the 71 huh??????? Never learn from ur mistakes. History always repeats... Thank God your government thinks otherwise.

[Ojana]

So Easy to forget the 71 huh??????? Never learn from ur mistakes. History always repeats... Thank God your government thinks otherwise.

Why do you suppose that once we fought means we will always fight?

[Ojana]

UAV

Thus far, Bangladesh has no experience of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, but that appears likely to change in the near future. An air force evaluation team was reportedly engaged in a study of potential candidates during the first half of 2006, but no sign of progress has been apparent since then.

BD needs UAVs to secure BD's border from BSF's evil intentions. We could try Pak-UAVs. Give us some simple free UAVs, lol, to show off Pakistani generosity.

[Gin ka Pakistan]

So Easy to forget the 71 huh??????? Never learn from ur mistakes. History always repeats... Thank God your government thinks otherwise.

Can you tell me how the history will repeats it self ?

[razgriz19]

hmmm, the air force is in pretty bad shape..
we have a few f-7's but theyre not good compared to what most nations like pak. and india have
some mig-29's which are good but high maintenance costs and very few in service. luckily, theres been a 10 yr modernization plan announced that includes the procurement of a squadron of fighters, lets hope that turns out well
i would like to see more co-op between bdesh and pak without anyone referring to '71 in every sector being the 2 largest muslims majority countries in the region, if only people looked at the big picture instead of dwelling over small differerences

we must move on!
leave the past behind('71). and i think cooperation between both countries has increased since last few decades....and hopefully it will continue!!!
...YO WE NEED A BANGLADESH'S FLAG!

[salman108]

So Easy to forget the 71 huh??????? Never learn from ur mistakes. History always repeats... Thank God your government thinks otherwise.

wonderful !

by the same token Muslims are due to rule Hindu India one more time real soon !

History repeats itself , doesn't it ?

Point to be made here " Ask any american, Indian and they will immediately tell you 101 ways of breaking up muslim unity"

F.U.S !

[PakSher]

Bangladeshis are smart people and yes India did train the Muqti Bani and fooled them to forget Islam and think as Bengali first and separate with Pakistan. But Bangladesh also knows that there best Indian friends are building dams that will block all water to Bangladesh over the next 6-10 years. Yes it will ruin Bangladesh's agriculture, but that is the Indian nature. Smile on the face and stab in the back.

[Luftwaffe]

guys ignore that guy whoever he is once he is off ur screens smokes clear get back to topic...

[eastwatch]

Bangladeshis are smart people and yes India did train the Muqti Bani and fooled them to forget Islam and think as Bengali first and separate with Pakistan. But Bangladesh also knows that there best Indian friends are building dams that will block all water to Bangladesh over the next 6-10 years. Yes it will ruin Bangladesh's agriculture, but that is the Indian nature. Smile on the face and stab in the back.

India could do nothing about our Muslim identity. After being released from the (west) Pakistani jail and coming back to Dhaka, Sheikh Mujib cautioned Bhutto and Pakistan in a Paltan Maidan public meeting in 1972 and said, 'Do not forget that Bangladesh is the second most Muslim majority country only after Indonesia.'

Our fight against Pakistan was for our own survival. It was against the selfish non-democratic ruling cliche of Pakistan and not against Islam.

[Gin ka Pakistan]

For a longtime no Bangladeshi cadet has come to Pakistani academies ? Well it will be Bangladeshi loss if they will keep on telling their new generation to hate Pakistan, when new generation of Pakistan even don't know that Bangladesh was once east Pakistan, our history chapter about east Pakistan is closed forever.

The question is ego or JF-17s

[Lankan Ranger]

Bangladesh Air Force should focus on Air Defense Capabilities & Transport Capabilities.

Bangladesh does not need large number of aircrafts & Bangladesh needs an effective Air force.

We can compare Sri Lanka Air force & Bangladesh Air Force

Air Defense Capabilities of Sri Lanka & Bangladesh

Bangladesh Radar System: Unknown

Sri Lanka Radar System: JY-11 3D Radar System (Fully Covered Sri Lanka)

Bangladesh Air Superiority Mig-29 - Greatly increased operating costs.

Sri Lanka Air Superiority Mig-29 – On Hold

Bangladesh Ground Attack A5C – Need Upgrades

Sri Lanka Ground Attack Mig-27 – Upgraded in Ukraine

Bangladesh Interceptor F-7BG

Sri Lanka Interceptor F-7GS – New Version

Transport Capabilities of Sri Lanka & Bangladesh

Bangladesh An-32 - Need Upgrades

Sri Lanka An-32 - Upgraded in Ukraine

Bangladesh C-130 - Need Upgrades

Sri Lanka C-130 – Seeking Upgrades

Sri Lanka also operates Y-12 & M60 for Transport

Helicopters of Sri Lanka & Bangladesh

Attack

Bangladesh Mi-17SH

Sri Lanka Mi-24 & Mi-35 – Seeking Upgrades

Transport

Bangladesh Mi-17

Sri Lanka Mi-17 – Seeking Upgrades

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – UAV

Bangladesh – No UAV

Sri Lanka - Searcher Mk II & Blue Horizon II

Maritime Patrol

Bangladesh – No Aircraft

Sri Lanka - Cessna 421 Golden Eagle & Beechcraft 200T Super King Air

Trainer Aircraft

Bangladesh - CJ-6, T-37B & FT-6

Sri Lanka - K-8 Karakorum, CJ-6, Cessna 150 & FT-7

Training most Important

Every year Sri Lanka Air force has Training Exercises in China & Pakistan.

I don’t know about Bangladesh Air force Training Exercises.

Air space violations & India

Sri Lanka – For Last 10 Years There are not a Single Air space violations By Indian Aircrafts.

Bangladesh - Frequent reports of airspace violations by Indian aircrafts and inability to intercept any of them, are demonstrative of major weaknesses.

Sri Lanka from Mig-29 to HQ-09B Air Defense System

Sri Lanka Interested in HQ-09B Air Defense System.

China already delivered HQ-16 Medium Range Area Defense SAMs to Sri Lanka.

[Thunder Omni Role]

Why Bangladesh not interested in producing her own fighter? JF-17 is on offer to Egypt with assembly line, why countries like BD and Sri Lanka go after expensive US toys and only 1 squadron when you can make as many Thunder as you want? Makes no sense to me, it is perfect for air forces looking to retire 3rd generation fighters and bombers. You gain production capability, technical know-how, and independence. Very professional airforces but suffering from the right equipment. We were in same boat now slowly coming out, let us make all our Muslim brothers, and peaceful neighbor like Sri Lanka independent and strong forces to reckon with!

[ramu]

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Bangladesh should focus on minimal but credible defence establishment. Incidents along the border with BSF is not sound reasoning for spending billions on defence. However, it is the decision of BD what they decide is thr defence.

On a different note, India has no intent to harm BD in any shape or form. Yes, the increased population on both sides of the border is putting pressure on limited resources including water. If India has evil intentions, it would have attempted something a long time back when Bangladesh was weak. Even now, India looks at BD as a partner in inclusive growth and would like to enhance relationship and take it to the next level. Please note that BD cannot in the foreseeable future pose a threat to India and India on its side would not like to use power but dialogue to discuss and solve all outstanding issues with BD.

If war mongers want better defence so that they can sleep better at night, then it is for your Govt. to allocate required funds and get on with it.