Bangladesh Air-Force MRCA Program

[Marlii]

What is the current state of this program?

 

[Afif]

What is the current state of this program?

Stuck. (Lack of Funding and political turmoil)


Note- India seriously needs to consider threatening Bangladesh from time to time. That may up our defence projects/procurement to a necessary rate.

 

[Gary]

Even chat gpt agrees with you. I prodded it a lot to figure out the best platform for BAF and gripen came out on top with cost and technology advantage over rafale and euro fighter

If I'm the chief of BAF. Any adequate 4th gen fighter (1 squadron)+ AWACS+MRTT if possible is enough.

 

[Afif]

If I'm the chief of BAF. Any adequate 4th gen fighter (1 squadron)+ AWACS+MRTT if possible is enough.

Let me explain in details once and for all.

First and foremost, Russia is out of option.

Secondly, if we want to buy from J-10C from PRC, then we have to buy at least two squadron (32x) to match Myanmar AF fire power. (They have 50+ 4th gen fighter)

But then there is that sufficient possibility of PRC double crossing us in any future conflcit with Myanmar.

And this is based on previous experience.

And then of course, there is that Rohinga crisis, in which they are in bed with Myanmar.

China was the front runner for Navy's ongoing frigate program.

But Rohinga Crisis was one of the reason Bangladesh started to looking at other options. (Along with the plan to move toward NATO standard as much possible)

But most important of all, the immediate consequence of such purchase from China is likely to be that our Big neighbor India would be extremely irritated if we buy such advanced Chinese platforms in that numbers. It will have geopolitical consequences that Bangladesh does not want to avoid. (For understanble reason)

Hence our only logical option is West.

That is the geopolitical aspect of this.

From a technical point of view, for now even Just one squadron will Eurofighter trench 4 will give us qualitative overmatch against Myanmar air force.

Also, it will be the first step in developing credible deterrence against our big neighbor.

Becuase otherwise Chinese J-10 does not have qualitative match for Rafale that India will soon induct in numbers under MRFA program.

About AWACS, it is doubtful if we need one. And when it comes to tanker, we definitely don't need that.

 

[Gary]

Let me explain in details.

First and foremost, Russia is out of option.

Secondly, if we want to buy from J-10C from PRC, then we have to buy at least two squadron (32x) to match Myanmar AF fire power. (They have 50+ 4th gen fighter)

That's why there's the AWACS as a force multiplier.

reason)

Hence our only logical option is West.
That is the geopolitical aspect of this.

From a technical point of view, for now even Just one squadron will Eurofighter trench 4 will give us qualitative overmatch against Myanmar air force.

Also, it will be the first step in developing credible deterrence against our big neighbor.


About AWACS, it is doubtful if we need one. And when it comes to tanker, we definitely don't need that.

Money in the end torpedo this kind of hope, if it's not for China + Prabowo. We would not likely have Rafale and F-15EX. The reason why we have those nice things is because of national urgency and luck, yes we are lucky to have Prabowo as DefMin. Had other people been selected by Jokowi as DefMin, it's a completely different story altogether

From what I see and understand Bangladesh doesn't really care about the urgency and there's no DefMin the like of Prabowo who understands the need for modern weapons and actually lobbied the Ministry of Finance to finance those projects.

Any 4th gen jet, even second-hand old block refurbished F-16 like @Isa Khan said, when it comes equipped with the correct force multiplier and correct pilot training is more than enough, especially against air force the likes of Myanmar (lol).

 

[Nilgiri]

Note- India seriously needs to consider threatening Bangladesh from time to time. That may up our defence projects/procurement to a necessary rate.

Nothing of the sort will be done. India desires as friendly relationship as possible with BD.

BD has all it needs to ramp up its game stemming from Burma anyway.

It is BD intelligentsa job to question why the GDP estimates by the BBS under the SHW regime have not materialised into commensurate forex and tax base....which are crucial to propel the defence sector in the end.

 

[Marlii]

Dassault planning Rafale Assembly Line in India with an eye on Indian Navy & Air Force orders – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

The indian MMRCA program is now picking up pace.

 

[Isa Khan]

The way new chief talked it looks like new MRCA isn't coming anytime soon. BAF should've settled down with J-10C for now as all other production lines are busy. $1 billion was enough to get two squadrons with MRO. Facilities was good enough for Chinese aircraft. The deal wouldn't put too much stress on forex. The way former two chiefs begged for new MRCA I don't know who's to blame anymore.

 

[Afif]

The way new chief talked it looks like new MRCA isn't coming anytime soon. BAF should've settled down with J-10C for now as all other production lines are busy. $1 billion was enough to get two squadrons with MRO. Facilities was good enough for Chinese aircraft. The deal wouldn't put too much stress on forex. The way former two chiefs begged for new MRCA I don't know who's to blame anymore.

Well, I would be happy if it doesn't come. I honestly changed my mind about ultra expensive twin engine eurocanards. I think best solution is FA-50 or Hurjet. They arguably pack similar technology, though being much lesser in volume. I.e range and payload. But we don't seriously need either that much. As our main goal is A2A interception. Not heavy A2G fire power or long range strikes mission/CAP.

Specially, what we are reading about Hurjet with GaN based AESA with 200km range and Gokhan ramjet BVR, it could be game changer for us as it balances cost and capability perfectly.

 

[PutinBro]

Forex reserves are expected to rise to 25 billion (gross) according to BPM-6 method by the end of next June.Basically eating up 24-25 fiscal year despite various measures taken by BB.25 billion in BPM-6 will mean around 30 billion in BB method.

Before economic crisis our reserve was close to 50 billion in BB method.So you can all see the picture, at least 2 more(including 24-25) fiscal years needed before we can reach pre crisis level.All this at a time when we should be aiming for at least 100 billion in forex reserve ...

 

[Bluetooth]

Forex reserves are expected to rise to 25 billion (gross) according to BPM-6 method by the end of next June.Basically eating up 24-25 fiscal year despite various measures taken by BB.25 billion in BPM-6 will mean around 30 billion in BB method.

Before economic crisis our reserve was close to 50 billion in BB method.So you can all see the picture, at least 2 more(including 24-25) fiscal years needed before we can reach pre crisis level.All this at a time when we should be aiming for at least 100 billion in forex reserve ...

Source?

 

[PutinBro]

Source?

Will BB steps build up reserves? Not so soon

Bangladesh Bank’s steps to boost the country’s foreign currency reserves will not yield any positive results overnight.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

I think best solution is FA-50 or Hurjet.

They arguably pack similar technology

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed more details about the planned upgrade of its FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft, 60 examples of which are currently in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF).

Speaking to Janes at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021 (ADEX 2021) held from 19–23 October, company officials said the upgrade, which is aimed at enhancing both the range and combat capabilities of the platform, is set to include fitting the aircraft with a conformal 300-gallon fuel tank for extended range and integrating the platform with targeting pods and new weapons systems, including mid-range air-to-surface missiles and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs).

Potential candidates for the mid-range air-to-surface missile include Kongsberg and Raytheon's Joint Strike Missile (JSM), Roketsan's Stand-Off Missile (SOM), and the Taurus KEPD 350K-2 from Taurus Systems. That said, South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD), which is also involved in the FA-50 upgrade, has also expressed its intension to develop such a missile.

According to KAI, the upgrade, which is expected to begin in 2022, will also involve fitting the aircraft with a multi-mode fire-control radar, a glass cockpit with a large area display, a helmet-mounted display, an aerial refuelling capability, electronic warfare systems, a multimode network-centric system, a new tactical data link, and a digital flight control system with triple redundancy. The move is meant to convert the FA-50, which is also being offered for export, into a “true multi-role combat aircraft”, noted KAI.

If BAF opts EFT then this could be a good cost effective option to supplement Yak-130 fleet and replace obsolete F-7 fleet while maintaining both quality and quantity at the same time.

ADEX 2021: KAI reveals more details about FA-50 upgrade plans

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed more details about the planned upgrade of its FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft, 60 examples of which are...

www.janes.com

https://www.facebook.com/ROKArmedForces/posts/4330925773672443

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Hurjet trainer version is still in prototype phase. The combat version is still in conceptual phase. It was only showcased with bvr, sraam & teber but still we need more details i think. TAI will need to supply the Turkish demand first if they roll out the combat version.

But a combat version of FA-50 already exists. KAI already produced lots of airframes and is working on to manufacture block 20 for Poland which will be even better. KAI is also reviving the plan to produce a single seat combat version. So yes FA-50 with Turkish weapon+meteor can be a good option. But we've not GSOMIA yet and we can get only 16 in $1 billion.

I was actually talking about a MMRCA not light multi-role fighter. Also, forgot about Gripen. A Gripen+J-10 combo would be nice but doesn't look like Saab is interested.