Bangladesh Air-Force Bangladesh Air Force

[Gary]

Apparently, this is capable of firing SD-10s.
I am not sure why they didn't choose the Jf-17B as a training platform and decided to induct something new altogether. Maybe the report below has some truth.

Technical Problems Ground Myanmar’s JF-17 Fighter Jets Bought From China

The $25-million jets arrived with structural problems but post-coup sanctions and a lack of local expertise make it impossible to fix them, ex-Air Force pilots say.

www.irrawaddy.com

This is TheIrrawady, an opposition media in Myanmar, do I doubt if there's no strings attached with their reporting. The report mentions sanctions as the culprit of the problem. Which I doubt, because China rarely abide to these and Myanmar is one of their allies.

The only way to offset this quantitative advantage is to acquire Western combat aircraft and adopt a western standard training regime (preferably American).

There's actually a response by an American pro in PDF directed to one statement from a member . His answer couldn't be more true.

Q:

Guys say there was almost unlimited funds, how long would it take to quickly build a modern airforce of 4+/5 gen fighters from where BD is with just 3rd gen jets, no AWACs, 8 old 4th gen fighters but plenty of trainer planes of all types?​

A: Never mind the hardware. Focus on the human element -- the pilot.

​

Send your pilots to train with the best Western air forces you can afford. Let your pilots outgrow with what you have, then they will be able to tell you what hardware you can buy. The issue is NOT the unlimited funds but what suits your needs.​

​

The unlimited funds was the problem the Saudis had. They thought with their unlimited oil funds they could buy the best hardware -- like the F-15 -- and that would make them the best air force in the region. It did not. It is an open secret in the USAF/USN that whenever Saudi pilots fly with us, we lowered our standards so as not to offend these 'princes'. Not only that, their maintenance crew are filled with Westerners who are technically speaking -- mercenaries. Yes, under the Geneva Convention, an aircraft mechanic who is hired as a 'contractor' is technically a mercenary.​

​

So grow your people before your hardware.​

​

BD just like ID, seems cares more about the platform instead of other more important things, such as the human factor, logistics, how much ammunition and what type of ammunition could you buy and in what quantity x quality.

It doesn't matter if you choose F-16, Rafale, Euro2000 or even J-10, its what you do once those came in your hands. In the end, the best fighters is what you have instead what you're craving for, and in this regard MN did things right. However bad the JF-17 reported by some media with questionable integrity, if war erupts they have those ready to be used.

The MRCA seems to be very picky for a fleet of only a squadrons worth (18 airframes) and yet no winner has been chosen as of this typing. Myanmar otoh, grows larger and more sophisticated, not only the JF-17, FTC-2000 but the Su-30SM will join the air fleet soon.

 

[Afif]

There's one thing MN did right imo, they don't wait for fighters that their pocket can't afford and go for readily available jets, instead of being picky. There's no denying that MN air force outmatch that of BD, both in quantity and quality.

It's not about money in that sense.
Pakistan with a lesser economy operates hundred of aircrafts!
and if Myanmar with six times smaller economy can afford to operate almost 50 4th gen fighters we can definitely buy 16 eurofighter or rafale.
However, Myanmar is country like north Korea and Pakistan is like where state serve the military rather than the other way around. clearly, BD should not operate like that.
and also, contemporary threat to our national security is very low because there is nothing practical Myanmar can gain by a war with us. coupled with that fact, ongoing economic recession can explain the delay in MRCA procurment.

This is TheIrrawady, an opposition media in Myanmar, do I doubt if there's no strings attached with their reporting. The report mentions sanctions as the culprit of the problem. Which I doubt, because China rarely abide to these and Myanmar is one of their allies.


There's actually a response by an American pro in PDF directed to one statement from a member . His answer couldn't be more true.

Q:

Guys say there was almost unlimited funds, how long would it take to quickly build a modern airforce of 4+/5 gen fighters from where BD is with just 3rd gen jets, no AWACs, 8 old 4th gen fighters but plenty of trainer planes of all types?​

A: Never mind the hardware. Focus on the human element -- the pilot.

​

Send your pilots to train with the best Western air forces you can afford. Let your pilots outgrow with what you have, then they will be able to tell you what hardware you can buy. The issue is NOT the unlimited funds but what suits your needs.​

​

The unlimited funds was the problem the Saudis had. They thought with their unlimited oil funds they could buy the best hardware -- like the F-15 -- and that would make them the best air force in the region. It did not. It is an open secret in the USAF/USN that whenever Saudi pilots fly with us, we lowered our standards so as not to offend these 'princes'. Not only that, their maintenance crew are filled with Westerners who are technically speaking -- mercenaries. Yes, under the Geneva Convention, an aircraft mechanic who is hired as a 'contractor' is technically a mercenary.​

​

So grow your people before your hardware.​

​

BD just like ID, seems cares more about the platform instead of other more important things, such as the human factor, logistics, how much ammunition and what type of ammunition could you buy and in what quantity x quality.

It doesn't matter if you choose F-16, Rafale, Euro2000 or even J-10, its what you do once those came in your hands. In the end, the best fighters is what you have instead what you're craving for, and in this regard MN did things right. However bad the JF-17 reported by some media with questionable integrity, if war erupts they have those ready to be used.

The MRCA seems to be very picky for a fleet of only a squadrons worth (18 airframes) and yet no winner has been chosen as of this typing. Myanmar otoh, grows larger and more sophisticated, not only the JF-17, FTC-2000 but the Su-30SM will join the air fleet soon.

What is ID?

With all due respect, i dont think you know deep enough about our air forces structure and organization to rightfully asses their training and doctrine standard.
nor even do i!
because for that, at least you need to have some experience of working with them or with any of their institutions.
And it does matter which one these four aircraft we choose, both politically and militarily.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

And i dont think you know deep enough about our air forces structure and organization to rightfully asses their training and doctrine standard.
nor even do we!
because for that, at least you need to have the experience of working with them or any of their institutions.

our AF has been in a miserable state of decay and neglect for decades , no point in sugarcoating this fact everyone can see what it is.

 

[Afif]

our AF has been in a miserable state of decay and neglect for decades , no point in sugarcoating this fact everyone can see what it is.

I was used to think like that, but after some interaction with few air force personals, my point of view changed. I surprisingly learned, it is more complicated than how it appears on the first look.

Now, when it comes to training, with the induction of 105th Advanced Jet Training Unit ( consisting of YAK130 ) AF experienced considerable improvement in their training compared to what they had before.
And also, the recently brought 24 german basic trainers will add improvement in basic training.

There is also talk with Italy to train our pilots.
if the typhoon procurement go through, it would probably be a permanent deal.

 

[Gary]

It's not about money in that sense.
Pakistan with a lesser economy operates hundred of aircrafts!
and if Myanmar with six times smaller economy can afford to operate almost 50 4th gen fighters we can definitely buy 16 eurofighter or rafale.
However,

This is why its most important to be realistic, in some countries where they adopt military first policy, money isn't an issue. On a country whose military doesn't actually run the country and its military affairs are relegated to the same urgency as many other economic problem by the government, money will be a problem. In Myanmar, the military called the shots where does the state money will be allocated. In your country (I assume) that it will have to pass a series of laws followed by lobbying and actually find the money to finance one, and in many case such as us, it will find loans because modern western aircraft are just too damn expensive.

and also, contemporary threat to our national security is very low because there is nothing practical Myanmar can gain by a war with us. coupled with that fact, ongoing economic recession can explain the delay in MRCA procurment.

No disrespect but Its doesn't have to be a war, if a skirmish would have happened by now or tomorrow, everyone would have seen the state of your air force.

With all due respect, i dont think you know deep enough about our air forces structure and organization to rightfully asses their training and doctrine standard.
nor even do i!

My point is, it seems based on my interactions here is that MRCA program is too picky to the point where no purchase have been made although this MRCA talk has been here for quite some time.

And it does matter which one these four aircraft we choose, both politically and militarily.

Nothing wrong with this but wait for too long and the cons will eventually outweigh whatever pros that goes with picking one up (while hoping to gain military and political advantage out of it). In other countries they have an interim solution, Malaysia once tried with ex-Kuwait F/A-18C for example, Aussie goes with Super Hornet while they wait for the F-35s, ID buys ex USAF F-16 while eventually goes on with Rafale and F-15EX. Even Pakistan is no shame to this practice.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1594603213260365824

 

[Isa Khan]

Too early to say that. They might still serve beyond 2030 like the F-7MBs. TFX has the best possibility but doesn't need to be a replacement. It can be inducted in new squadron.

Sorry for the confusion!

what I meant by 'the induction of new squadron before 2040 very unlikely' is the increas of the overall fighter numbers IN ADDITION to the replacement of existing ones.

in a nutshell, until 2040 air force only going to replace the old f7s and mig29s ( by typhoon or other ) So in that sense, induction of 'new squadron' will definitely happen.
But, it won't increas the overall fighter numbers by adding any EXTRA SQUADRON.

I was replying to the question about the Migs being replaced with TFX which is unlikely and TFX could come under a new squadron as we're currently focused on 4.5 gen. That's merely a possibility i was talking about. Save discussion for fifth gen for later. Anyway, there's already a new 111th squadron in BAF.

But I was actually talking about 16 batch F7BG that was brought in 2005/6.

The new 16 MRCA ( possibly typhoon or other western origin 4.5 ) is to replace that batch of F7BG.

That's sounds like nonsense to me. BGs are only 16/15 years old and could serve till 2036. Why would new MRCA replace them?

iirc it was mentioned to be baykars.

That's for army.

 

[Afif]

That's sounds like nonsense to me. BGs are only 16/15 years old and could serve till 2036. Why would new MRCA replace them?

ASAIK, F7's lifespan is 3000hours.
It is barely possible to keep them in service for 20 years. ( with only 150 flying hours per year, which is very low )
I am not sure, if it would be plausible to keep them 30 years in service like 4th gen migs, if we really want to UP BAF standard.
Besides, in 2030s these old 3rd Gen aircraft won't have any practical deterrence anyway.

 

[Isa Khan]

ASAIK, F7's lifespan is 3000hours.
It is barely possible to keep them in service for 20 years. ( with only 150 flying hours per year, which is very low )
I am not sure, if it would be possible to keep them 30 years in service like 4th gen migs, if we really want to up our standard.

If that's impossible four MBs still wouldn't be in service. Anyway I'll be glad to be wrong if they replace them sooner and catch up with fifth gen.

 

[Isa Khan]

Bagura, 29 November: A trainer aircraft (PT-6) of Bangladesh Air Force made an emergency landing after take-off with two pilots in adjacent area at Arulia Airport, Bogura at around 1035 hours on 29 November 2022, Tuesday.

The aircraft took off from Flying Instructors School in Arulia Airport, Bogura at around 1034 hours. Pilots of the trainer aircraft Group Captain Mahbub and Squadron Leader Halimur are safe and sound. Mentionable that, the wrecked trainer aircraft is repairable under the supervision of Bangladesh Air Force.

BANGLADESH AIR FORCE TRAINER AIRCRAFT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN BAGURA - ISPR-আন্তঃবাহিনী জনসংযোগ পরিদপ্তর, বাংলাদেশ

Bagura, 29 November: A trainer aircraft (PT-6) of Bangladesh Air Force made an emergency…

www.ispr.gov.bd

 

[Isa Khan]

Dhaka, 06 December: The Inauguration Ceremony of Rubberized Items Manufacturing Plant took place at 214 Maintenance, Repairing and Overhauling Unit on 06 December 2022, Tuesday. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, BBP, BUP, nswc, fawc, psc graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Honorable Prime Minister of The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has been patronizing Bangladesh Air Force by including modern equipment and installations to shape the Air Force as cherished by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In line with this, Rubberized Items Manufacturing Plant has been included in Bangladesh Air Force. The newly commissioned Rubberized Items Manufacturing Plant will play a vital role in enhancing the maintenance and overhauling capacity of BAF.

From now onwards, the production of rubberized items for F-7 series aircraft, K-8W aircraft, PT-6 aircraft and many other essential machineries will be produced by BAF technicians solely.

Subsequently, rubberized components of all other aircraft and major equipment of BAF will also be manufactured from this unit. On this auspicious occasion Principal Staff Officers and other senior officers of Bangladesh Air Force were present.

BAF RUBBERISED ITEMS MANUFACTUIRING PLANT INAUGURATED - ISPR-আন্তঃবাহিনী জনসংযোগ পরিদপ্তর, বাংলাদেশ

Dhaka, 06 December: The Inauguration Ceremony of Rubberized Items Manufacturing Plant took place at 214…

www.ispr.gov.bd

 

[Isa Khan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1594603213260365824

Details about the ECM.

https://558arp.by/images/2020/napravlenie-deyatelnosti/sistemaradiozashchiti/doc/ecm_satellite-m2_eng.pdf

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1601595921673748481

basically a larger Maverick missile

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

That's for army.

Is the BAF requirement for drones different from the BA ?

it never crossed my mind , what platform will we use to launch Teber-82 PGMs from ?
Do we have any compatible targeting pods ? can our F-7s be integrated with non-Chinese pods ?

maybe BAF is planning to acquire (or has acquired) a platform that is capable of using Teber-82 like Akinci ?

 

[Gary]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1601595921673748481

basically a larger Maverick missile

The Fulcrums looks very overburdened, it takes the role of the only BVR capable jets, also AGM capable jets in the entire BAF. And this with only 8 airframes.

This might be an odd question but why aren't BAF trying to buy ex-Malaysian MiG instead ? While you wait for the MRCA. Iirc, Malaysia jets airframes are still quite capable (being able to fire the Adder and Krypton without needing any modifications)and it comes with AA refueling.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

And this with only 8 airframes.

only 6 aiframes are BVR capable. 2 are trainers

This might be an odd question but why aren't BAF trying to buy ex-Malaysian MiG instead ? While you wait for the MRCA. Iirc, Malaysia jets airframes are still quite capable (being able to fire the Adder and Krypton without needing any modifications)and it comes with AA refueling.

If the BAF had any braincells.

 

[Afif]

only 6 aiframes are BVR capable. 2 are trainers

If the BAF had any braincells.

dont worry all 16 MRCA would multirole capable, i mean when it will be brought fifty years later.

 

[PutinBro]

dont worry all 16 MRCA would multirole capable, i mean when it will be brought fifty years later.

Even with proper munitions just 8 migs are totally worthless.Any proper airforce would have retired these aircrafts by now.Sadly the reality is that BAF nearly completely lacks air combat capability.Our aircrafts are only good for ground or maritime strike.

 

[Isa Khan]

Is the BAF requirement for drones different from the BA ?

There are few differences in tenders but both are almost same.

it never crossed my mind , what platform will we use to launch Teber-82 PGMs from ?
Do we have any compatible targeting pods ? can our F-7s be integrated with non-Chinese pods ?

Didn't we discuss it several times before? Since F-7BG1 has it's own guidance system integrated, it's possible that BAF modified it to work with Teber-82. And it's already able to carry Chinese PGM. Also, Teber-82 uses INS/GPS too. We can also use TB2, Falco, BRAMOR C4EYE and other UAS/UAV (indigenous or foreign) for guidance/targeting.

This might be an odd question but why aren't BAF trying to buy ex-Malaysian MiG instead ?

Is Malaysia offering those for sale?

 

[Gary]

Is Malaysia offering those for sale?

Doesn't always have to be. According to Malaysian forumers, the MiGs are quite flight worthy enough that Russia/Ukraine are trying to buy one. Malaysia flatly refused because it doesn't want to be involved in the war.

Malaysian Armed Forces Thread

Some "arms dealers" did offer to buy it back in March, and that includes our stock of Su-30MKMs. We flat out refused.

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