Bangladesh Air-Force BAF Starts Process To Modernize Second Batch Of Mig-29

[Isa Khan]

The Bangladesh Air Force's next batch of four MiG-29B/UB aircraft are being sent to Belarus for MLU as per FY 2020-21 & 2021-22 funding outlay.
The combat aircraft will be overhauled and upgraded. Upon completion of the MLU the said aircraft will be capable of undertaking multitude of missions as opposed to air superiority and basic ground attack sortie capability in original form.

Bangladesh Air Force found that the MiG-29BM package offered by Belarus is closely resembling the MiG-29SMT upgrade package offered by Russia. In fact the reason Belarus was selected was due to lower cost. Russian counterparts however remained non-competitive and overall attitude was not conducive for progress.
Russia is becoming like PNG as far as defence equipment are concerned with Bangladesh. With CAATSA in place and moreover other concerns with their professionalism, after sales support and project life cost Russians are falling far behind even smaller countries.

In short there is a bigger chance for Boeing to do business with Bangladesh Air Force than their Russian counterparts.

https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4554.pdf?fbclid=IwAR34yR2g6SpyUzJVaPSWkU2bQ_edqqx9xeBP333DCz7XoxklntJBX6gPG-o

 

[Saithan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1404287483219628034

 

[Michael Corleone]

First batch is back?

 

[Isa Khan]

First batch is back?

AFAIK they left Belarus.

 

[Destranator]

The Bangladesh Air Force's next batch of four MiG-29B/UB aircraft are being sent to Belarus for MLU as per FY 2020-21 & 2021-22 funding outlay.
The combat aircraft will be overhauled and upgraded. Upon completion of the MLU the said aircraft will be capable of undertaking multitude of missions as opposed to air superiority and basic ground attack sortie capability in original form.

Bangladesh Air Force found that the MiG-29BM package offered by Belarus is closely resembling the MiG-29SMT upgrade package offered by Russia. In fact the reason Belarus was selected was due to lower cost. Russian counterparts however remained non-competitive and overall attitude was not conducive for progress.
Russia is becoming like PNG as far as defence equipment are concerned with Bangladesh. With CAATSA in place and moreover other concerns with their professionalism, after sales support and project life cost Russians are falling far behind even smaller countries.

In short there is a bigger chance for Boeing to do business with Bangladesh Air Force than their Russian counterparts.

View attachment 10926

https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4554.pdf?fbclid=IwAR34yR2g6SpyUzJVaPSWkU2bQ_edqqx9xeBP333DCz7XoxklntJBX6gPG-o

@Micheal Corleone mama, see the existing configuration is B and not SE.

 

[Michael Corleone]

@Micheal Corleone mama, see the existing configuration is B and not SE.

Some nincompoops gave me the wrong idea very early on

 

[Destranator]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1404287483219628034

BM upgrade usually comes with a mechanical radar. I doubt Russia would sell Zhuk radars to Ukraine for re-export as the BM package is a commercial killer for the SMT package which BAF avoided due to Russian price gouging.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

BAF avoided due to Russian price gouging.

Price gouging or CAATSA ? or maybe because of myanmar ?

Anyone know if they replaced the ''smoky'' RD-33 series of engines with the non-smoky ones ?
In addition to this , we will need a Fox3 BVR like R-77 as a minimum. MRCA will take at least until 2025 to arrive (if ordered in 2022 air show)

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

BM upgrade usually comes with a mechanical radar. I doubt Russia would sell Zhuk radars

i found an article that talks about the N019 family of radars
http://toad-design.com/migalley/index.php/jet-aircraft/mig29/mig29-n019-radar/

quote
''N019MP is a further modified radar proposed by Phazotron for the MiG-29SMT program. It used a Baguet series processor. The maximum range remained the about the same, but the radar could detect 20 targets simultaneously, track four, and engage two. The radar had also basic air-to-ground functions, like ground mapping mode, acquisition and engagement of sea targets with radar homing missiles, and ground targets with unguided weaponry under any weather conditions, day and night. The NO19MP could generate maps of 15×15, 24×24, 50×50 or 77x77km with a resolution of 15m. Radar imagery could be transmitted via datalink to GCI centres or A-50 AWACS aircraft. Targets visible on the radar map could be designated by the pilot(using a joystick) or ground controller, and used to cue TV-guided missile seekers, whose higher resolution imagery can then be displayed or transmitted to the GCI or A-50 controller as well. Performance against slow flying helicopters was improved as well as resistance to jamming. Uses Doppler beam sharpening techniques. Now superceded by N019M1.''



I am guessing that we got the Zhuk radar plus Belarus is quite close with Russia and they won't miss out on an opportunity to make money.

 

[Michael Corleone]

i found an article that talks about the N019 family of radars
http://toad-design.com/migalley/index.php/jet-aircraft/mig29/mig29-n019-radar/

quote
''N019MP is a further modified radar proposed by Phazotron for the MiG-29SMT program. It used a Baguet series processor. The maximum range remained the about the same, but the radar could detect 20 targets simultaneously, track four, and engage two. The radar had also basic air-to-ground functions, like ground mapping mode, acquisition and engagement of sea targets with radar homing missiles, and ground targets with unguided weaponry under any weather conditions, day and night. The NO19MP could generate maps of 15×15, 24×24, 50×50 or 77x77km with a resolution of 15m. Radar imagery could be transmitted via datalink to GCI centres or A-50 AWACS aircraft. Targets visible on the radar map could be designated by the pilot(using a joystick) or ground controller, and used to cue TV-guided missile seekers, whose higher resolution imagery can then be displayed or transmitted to the GCI or A-50 controller as well. Performance against slow flying helicopters was improved as well as resistance to jamming. Uses Doppler beam sharpening techniques. Now superceded by N019M1.''



I am guessing that we got the Zhuk radar plus Belarus is quite close with Russia and they won't miss out on an opportunity to make money.

Need the zhuk to fire anti ship

 

[Isa Khan]

i don't find anything called Mig-29B. Our configuration matches with SE which is the export version of "S". That version has a dorsal hump, IRST, under wing drop tanks and limited ground attack capability etc. (S-8 80 mm rocket and other unguided bombs). Even DTB, Ops Room, numerous spotters; everyone is saying we have the SE variant.

Mikoyan MiG-29 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MIG 29 and Variants - Machtres Fighters

Mikoyan Gurevich 29 and Variants

www.machtres.com

Variants | MiG Alley Military Aviation News

toad-design.com

36506 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Shadman al Samee | JetPhotos

36506. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36503 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Murad Hashan | JetPhotos

36503. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36503 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Tawkir Hossain | JetPhotos

The chief of air staff, BAF going for a ride. 36503. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36506 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Emdadul Hoque | JetPhotos

36506. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36502 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Fo.Prottay | JetPhotos

36502. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36501 Bangladesh Air Force Mikhoyan-Gurevich Mig-29SE Fulcrum

36501 Bangladesh Air Force Mikhoyan-Gurevich Mig-29SE Fulcrum photographed at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal (Zia Intl.) (DAC / VGHS) by Tawkir Hossain Ratul

www.planespotters.net

 

[Michael Corleone]

i don't find anything called Mig-29B. Our configuration matches with SE which is the export version of "S". That version has a dorsal hump, IRST, under wing drop tanks and limited ground attack capability etc. (S-8 80 mm rocket and other unguided bombs). Even DTB, Ops Room, numerous spotters; everyone is saying we have the SE variant.

Mikoyan MiG-29 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MIG 29 and Variants - Machtres Fighters

Mikoyan Gurevich 29 and Variants

www.machtres.com

Variants | MiG Alley Military Aviation News

toad-design.com

36506 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Shadman al Samee | JetPhotos

36506. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36503 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Murad Hashan | JetPhotos

36503. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36503 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Tawkir Hossain | JetPhotos

The chief of air staff, BAF going for a ride. 36503. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36506 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Emdadul Hoque | JetPhotos

36506. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36502 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C | Bangladesh - Air Force | Fo.Prottay | JetPhotos

36502. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE Fulcrum C. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 6 million screened photos online!

www.jetphotos.com

36501 Bangladesh Air Force Mikhoyan-Gurevich Mig-29SE Fulcrum

36501 Bangladesh Air Force Mikhoyan-Gurevich Mig-29SE Fulcrum photographed at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal (Zia Intl.) (DAC / VGHS) by Tawkir Hossain Ratul

www.planespotters.net

Is SE and B interchangeable? Maybe one is export designation and another is for local

 

[Isa Khan]

From the cancelled tender. BAF probably issued two tender after this one. It's the only tender which had some details. Probably we are gonna get these upgrades. Kh-31A is confirmed.

Is SE and B interchangeable? Maybe one is export designation and another is for local

S is for local and SE is for export. Perhaps those versions after Mig-29A till the SMT upgrade are considered as Mi-29B.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

From the cancelled tender. BAF probably issued two tender after this one. It's the only tender which had some details. Probably we are gonna get these upgrades. Kh-31A is confirmed.

View attachment 23738



S is for local and SE is for export. Perhaps those versions after Mig-29A till the SMT upgrade are considered as Mi-29B.

This basically confirms that BAF wants R-77 missile.

 

[LeonBlack]

Read in one of the BD FB pages (not clear whether DTB or Defseca) that Bangladesh opted to not upgrade the landing gears with the BM upgrade. So they won't be able to utilize the max capacity. Not sure how true is that, but doesn't make sense to me why BAF would do that.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Read in one of the BD FB pages (not clear whether DTB or Defseca) that Bangladesh opted to not upgrade the landing gears with the BM upgrade. So they won't be able to utilize the max capacity. Not sure how true is that, but doesn't make sense to me why BAF would do that.

They’re not carrier fighters.

 

[Isa Khan]

Read in one of the BD FB pages (not clear whether DTB or Defseca) that Bangladesh opted to not upgrade the landing gears with the BM upgrade. So they won't be able to utilize the max capacity. Not sure how true is that, but doesn't make sense to me why BAF would do that.

DefRes. The reason they said was our Mig-29 wasn't modified with enlarged spine for additional fuel tank, probe. Body structure didn't change so no additional load. That's why they didn't upgrade the landing gear.

 

[Michael Corleone]

DefRes. The reason they said was our Mig-29 wasn't modified with enlarged spine for additional fuel tank, probe. Body structure didn't change so no additional load. That's why they didn't upgrade the landing gear.

But bm has a probe

 

[Isa Khan]

But bm has a probe

Yes but we didn't choose it. If i remember it correctly it wasn't even mentioned in that old tender either. Notice the upgraded ones.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Yes but we didn't choose it. If i remember it correctly it wasn't even mentioned in that old tender either. Notice the upgraded ones.

View attachment 23817
View attachment 23816

So just a overhaul, upgraded radar and avionics