Bangladesh Air Force

Bangladesh Air Force
বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী

Bangladesh Air Force emblem
Active 1971–present
Country  Bangladesh
Allegiance People's Republic of Bangladesh
Type Military aviation
Role Aerial warfare
Size 14,000 personnel[1]
Part of Bangladesh Armed Forces
Air Headquarters Dhaka Cantonment
Nickname BAF
Patron The President of Bangladesh
Motto

বাংলার আকাশ রাখিব মুক্ত
Transliteration:Banglar Aakash Rakhibo Mukto

(Free shall we keep the sky of Bangladesh)[2]
Engagements Bangladesh Liberation War
Gulf War
Website www.baf.mil.bd
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari ndu, psc
Insignia
Ensign
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack L-39, Mi-171
Bomber An-32 (converted)
Fighter MiG-29, F-7
Helicopter Bell 206, Bell 212, Mi-17, AW 139
Interceptor F-7
Reconnaissance F-7
Trainer PT-6, T-37, L-39, K-8, YAK 130
Transport An-32, C-130

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF, Bengali: বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী, Bānglādēśh Bimān Bāhinī) is the aerial warfare arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Being the first line of defense of Bangladesh, the air force revealed their long-term advancement and procurement plan in Defence IQ 2011 International Fighter Aircraft Conference in London. The Bangladesh Air Force currently employs 14,000 personnel.

Location of Bangladesh
Location of Bangladesh.
View of BAF Information and Selection Centre, Dhaka
Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 Taking Part in Flypast of victory day, 2012.
Mil Mi-17 Hip Helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force on UN Mission

History

Foundation

The Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed at the Sector Commanders Conference during its independence war from Pakistan in 1971. Its official date of formation has been established as 28 September 1971 and it was launched formally by the Government on 8 October 1971. Out of 11 BDF Sectors, the most tactically significant sector, the Central Sector - Sector 11, was in command of a BAF officer including Sector 6. A significant number of BAF personnel participated in the Bangladesh War of Independence. Initially, BAF was formed with all officers and airmen of Bengali origin serving in the Pakistan Air Force prior to the war. At that time, the embryo of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was formed with less than hundred officers and a quite good number of airmen and warrant officers. During the independence war, officers of the BAF attached to the Z-Force were then BD Gov't Representative to Chakulia Guerilla Trng. Camp Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan,[3] later Sub-Sector Commander and as Commander-Sector 11, Flight Lieutenant Liaqat as Battalion Adjutant, Flying Officer Rouf, Flying Officer Ashraf and Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah as company commanders. Squadron Leader Sadruddin Hossain, Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim, Squadron Leader Nurul Qader, Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman and Air Commodore Ataur Rahman as sub sector company commanders. Squadron Leader Khademul Bashar participated in the war as Commander-Sector 6.[4]

Bangladesh Air Force was organised in India with the initiative of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud (Ex-PAF Pilot), Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed (Ex-PIA Pilot), Captain Akram Ahmed (Ex-Plant protection Pilot) and Captain Sattar (ex-PIA Pilot) and Captain Sarfuddin (Ex-PIA Pilot). Later many Bangladeshi ex-PAF Officers joined in Bangladesh Air Force in India. Finally Bangladesh Air Force was formed in late July 1971. Indian Air Force trained these Officers July 1971 through November 1971 as fighter pilots. Bangladesh Air Force first went in action on 3 December 1971 and attacked the Chittagong based Oil tank depot and oil tank depot was totally destroyed by that air attack. The Air attack was conducted by Capt. Akram Ahmed.[5] The second Bangladesh Air Force attack was on 6 December 1971 at Moulovi Bazar Pakitani Army barracks under the command of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud, where Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed was co-pilot.[6]

Indian civilian authorities and the IAF donated 1 DC-3 Dakota (gifted by the Maharaja of Jodhpor), 1 Twin Otter plane, and 1 Alouette III helicopter for the newborn Bangladesh Air Force,[7] which was to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of the PAF to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside Bangladesh from the air. The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintage runway at Dimapur, then began rigging the aircraft for combat duty. The Dakota was modified to carry 500 pound bombs, but for technical reasons it was only used to ferry Bangladesh government personnel. Captain Abdul Khalek, Captain Alamgir Satter, and Captain Abdul Mukit, all destined to earn the Bir Pratik award, piloted the Dakota. The helicopter was rigged to fire 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and had .303 Browning machine guns installed, in addition to having 1-inch (25 mm) steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmood, Flight Lieutenant Bodiul Alam, and Captain Shahabuddin, all of whom later won the Bir Uttam award, operated the helicopter. The Otter boasted 7 rockets under each of its wings and could deliver ten 25 pound bombs, which were rolled out of the aircraft by hand through a makeshift door. Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, along with Captains Akram Ahmed and Sharfuddin Ahmad, flew the Otter - all three were later awarded Bir Uttam for their service in 1971. This tiny force was dubbed Kilo Flight, the first fighting formation of the nascent Bangladesh Air force.Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight'.

Air Force personnel in 1971

During the Bangladesh War of Independence 1971, many career Air Force officers from eastern Pakistan and airmen participated in different sectors in Bangladesh and also at the headquarters. Below are a list of some notable participants:

Wing Commander M.Hamidullah Khan
PAF-BAF – Deceased; BDF Commander Sector 11

Air vice-marshal Khademul Bashar

PAF-BAF – Deceased; BDF Commander Sector 6
Air vice-marshal Sadruddin Hossain
PAF-BAF – Retired; BDF Subsetor Commander
Air Commodore Ataur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Kader
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Air vice-marshal Sultan Mahmud
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Islam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Group Captain Shamsul Alam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Flight Lieutenant Badrul Alam, Bir Uttom
PAF-BAF - Retired
Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Bir Shreshtho
PAF– Killed during attempt to defect to Bangladesh in 1971.
Flight Lieutenant Liaqat
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Rashid
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flying Officer Rouf
PAF-BAF- Retired
Group Captain AKM Mohsin
PAF-BAF – Deceased
Group Captain Ashraf
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flight Sergeant Abu Yusuf Khan
PAF-BAF – Retired
Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah
PAF-BAF – Retired

Non-combatant staff

Group Captain A K Khandker PAF-BAF – Was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the end of July 1971 under Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Rab who remained in Comilla during the war. His primary responsibility consisted of liaison with local Indian officials and defence personnel at Kalyani, Calcutta.

Distinguished personnel

After Independence

After independence, the BAF received a significant donation from the former USSR. Among the aircraft delivered were ten single-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MFs and two twin-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMs. Later China also supplied some equipment.[7]

Apart from the aircraft of Kilo Flight which were donated to India, most Pakistan Air Force aircraft grounded in Dhaka due to runway cratering by the Indian Air Force during the liberation war, were sabotaged before surrender. Many of these were also returned to service by Bangladeshi ground technicians. The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had a large number of Bengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers. Many of them distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel.

Defense cooperation improved with Pakistan considerably under the military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hossain Mohammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its war ally, India. Common concerns over India's regional power have influenced strategic cooperation leading to a gift of several squadrons of refurbished Shenyang F-6 fighter aircraft from Pakistan to the Bangladesh Air Force in the late 1980s.[7] Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) received National colours in 2003 by the then honorable Prime Minister. Even the Recruits’ Training School (RTS) has been awarded with BAF Colours by ex-Chief of Air Staff in 2004.

Forces Goal 2030

The Bangladesh Air Force has an ambitious modernization plan to be implemented in upcoming years under Forces Goal 2030. AS per the goal, air force is to be a strong deterrent force to well protect the sky of Bangladesh. Plans are made to strengthen both air power and air defence capabilities. Currently, the BAF has concentrated on improving its trainer fleet and air defence capabilities. By 2015, it will take delivery of 16 Yakovlev Yak-130, 9 K-8 aircraft and new Nanchang PT-6s, which will replace the existing fleet of the same aircraft. The BAF will also take delivery of five Mil Mi-171SH attack helicopters, two AgustaWestland AW139 maritime search and rescue helicopters and three Let L-410 Turbolet short range transport aircraft at the same time.[8]

BAF earned the Surface to air missile capability by introducing FM-90 short range air defence missile in 2011.[9] Currently, air force awaiting for the delivery of LY-80E medium range SAM system. Bangladesh air force will also receive Kasta 2E and Gamma DE air defence radars soon.

BAF is also in the process of acquiring new 4th/4++ generations fighters soon. Besides, the force is trying to make its own surveillance drones, which are expected to come in service by 2017.

Organizational structure

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its HQ at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 3 branches, Operations & Training (Ops. & Trng.), Administration and Special Duties (Admin. & SD) and Material & Maintenance (M & Mte). Each branch is headed by officers who are considered as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) and known as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, e.g. ACAS (Ops & Trng). Under each PSO there are various Directorates headed by Directors of Air Commodore Rank. Under each Director there are Deputy Directors (DD) headed by Wing Commanders and Staff Officers(SO)with rank of Squadron Leader and below.

  • Office of the Chief of Air Staff (COAS)
  • Air Secretary's Branch
  • Chief Inspectorate (Air Cdre M Anwarul Haque Sarder, ndc, fawc, psc)
  • Directorate of Air Intelligence (Air Cdre M Abul Bashar, ndc, psc)
  • Judge Advocate General
  • Operations and Training Branch
  • Directorate of Air Defence
  • Directorate of Air Operations
  • Directorate of Air Traffic Services
  • Directorate of Air Training
  • Directorate of Education
  • Directorate of Flight Safety
  • Directorate of IT
  • Directorate of Meteorology
  • Directorate of Plan
  • Directorate of Recruitment
  • Administrative and Special Duties Branch
  • Directorate of Air Force Security & Investigations (Provost Marshal)
  • Directorate of Administrative Co-ordination
  • Directorate of Finance
  • Directorate of Medical Services
  • Directorate of Personnel
  • Office of the Chief Engineer
  • Directorate of Works
  • Directorate of Welfare and Ceremony
  • Material and Maintenance Branch
  • Directorate of Armament and Weapons
  • Directorate of Communication & Electronics
  • Directorate of Engineering (Air Cdre Nazrul Haque, psc)
  • Directorate of Project
  • Directorate of Logestics (Gp Capt Abdul Aziz Khan)

Command structure

Shoulder/Sleeve insignia Appointment Rank & Name Star Plate
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, BBP,ndu, psc
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations & Training) Air Vice Marshal Abu Esrar, ndu, acsc
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabad,

ndu, psc
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance) Air Vice Marshal Mazharul Islam, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Khademul Bashar (Dhaka) Air Vice Marshal M Nayeem Hassan, afwc, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bangabandhu (Dhaka) Air Commodore M Obaidur Rahman, ndc, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Zahurul Haq (Chittagong) Air Commodore M Humayun Kabir, ndc, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Matiur Rahman (Jessore) Air Commodore M Sayed Hossain, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Paharkanchanpur (Tangail) Air Commodore AKM Ahsanul Haque, ndu, afwc, psc
Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Cox's Bazar Air Commodore M Habib Ahsan Khan, psc

Branches (officer)

Bell 206 Long Ranger of Bangladesh Air Force.

Branches of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Trades (Airmen)

Bangladesh Air Force Antonov An-32 Batuzak-1(converted)
Bangladesh Air Force and US Marines in Air Exercise

Trades of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Installations

BAF Headquarters is located in Dhaka Cantonment. There are numerous bases set up all over the country. BAF Base Khademul Bashar Dhaka, BAF Base Bangabandhu Dhaka, BAF Base Zahurul Haque Chittagong and BAF Base Matiur Rahman Jessore are named after National as well as Air Force heroes. Other major bases are BAF Base Pahar Kanchanpur Tangail and Forward Operations Base at Cox's Bazar. There are also several independent units and detachments in places like Moulavibazar Radar Unit (MRU), Bogra Radar Unit (BRU), Lalmonirhat Unit, No. 74 Squadron Bangladesh Air Force at Chittagong & No.71 Squadron Bangladesh Air Force at Dhaka & Shamshernagar.

Bangladesh Air Force Academy is the commissioned officer training academy for all branches of Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF Base Matiur Rahman in Jessore. Recruits Training School[10] is the airman training center for all trades of Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF C&M Unit Shamshernagar in Moulvibazar.

Ranks

Main article: Bangladesh Air Force rank insignia

Commissioned Officer ranks

(in descending order) Bangladesh Bangladesh Air Force

                                       
Air Chief Marshal    Air Marshal    Air Vice-Marshal    Air Commodore    Group Captain    Wing Commander    Squadron Leader    Flight Lieutenant    Flying Officer    Pilot Officer   

Junior Commissioned Officer Ranks

In descending order.[11] Bangladesh Bangladesh Air Force

           
Master Warrant Officer    Senior Warrant Officer    Warrant Officer   

Aircraft

Bangladesh Air Force MIG-29 running for take off
An Air Force Mil Hip helicopter fly over
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 landing

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
F-7  China fighter 37[12]
MiG-29  Russia multirole 8[12]
Transport
An-32  Ukraine transport 3[12]
C-130  United States transport C-130B/E 4[12]
Helicopters
AW139  Italy SAR 2 on order[12]
Bell 212  United States utility 14[12]
Mil Mi-17  Russia utility / transport Mi-17/171 27[12]
Trainer Aircraft
J-6  People's Republic of China jet trainer FT-6 9[12] licensed built MiG-19
F-7  People's Republic of China jet trainer FT-7 12[12] licensed built MiG-21
JL-8  China jet trainer 5[12] 4 on order[12]
L-39  Czech Republic primary trainer 7[12]
Yak-130  Russia jet trainer 16 on order[12]
Bell 206  United States trainer 6[12]

Future modernization program

The BAF has an ongoing modernization program under Forces Goal 2030 to become a strong force to defend the sky of Bangladesh. It has plans to acquire both modern aircraft and air defence capabilities.

The BAF ordered nine Hongdu K-8 intermediate jet trainer aircraft from China. Four were delivered on 27 September 2014.[13] Rest of them were delivered on 8 April, 2015 which are yet to join the fleet.

The BAF also ordered a total of 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 Lead-in fighter trainer and 5 Mi-171SH attack helicopters from Russia.[14] 2 Mi-171SH have been already delivered and rest aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2015. Besides, Gamma-DE and Kasta 2E RADAR are also ordered from Russia.

To patrol the vast area of Bay of Bengal, the BAF ordered two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters.[15] the delivery is expected in 2015.

Meanwhile, the existing MiG-29 fleet will also be upgraded to Mig-29SMT standard for operational use for another 15–20 years.

Recently the prime minister of Bangladesh declared that Bangladesh Air Force will be turned into a strategically and technically sound, strong, and capable force through its further modernisation by 2021, the Golden Jubilee of the country's independence.[16] She stated that order has been placed for three Let L-410 Turbolet short range transport aircraft. In addition, the aging fleet of Nanchang PT-6 basic trainers will be replaced by new PT-6s.[17]

Bangladesh is also negotiating with the US government for the regeneration, overhaul, modifications and logistics support for four off-the-shelf Lockheed Martin C-130Es, 20 engines and associated parts, equipment, and training for an estimated cost of $180 million.[18]

UN mission deployment

More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, 10 BAF helicopters and are currently deployed to various UN Missions. Another C-130 transport aircraft is providing support to UN Mission in Africa. With the deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the largest troops contributing country in UN Peace Keeping Missions.

Guided weapons

Name Version Type Used by Notes
PL-2 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
PL-5 E Active Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
PL-7 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGIPRC version of the French Matra Magic R.550 missile.
PL-9 C Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
PL-12 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile F-7BGI
LT-2 Laser Guided Bomb F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
LS-6 Satellite Guided Bomb F-7MB, F-7BG, F-7BGI
Vympel R-73 Infrared Guided Air-to-air missile MiG-29
Vympel R-77 BVR Air-to-air missile MiG-29
FM-90 Surface-to-air missile Ground Based Air Defence[19]

List of the Chiefs of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force

Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandker
(10 April 1972 – 17 August 1975)
Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ghulam Tawab
(August 18th 1975–1977)
Air Vice Marshal Khademul Bashar
(1977–1977)
Air Vice Marshal Abdul Gafoor Mahmud
(1977–1978)
Air Vice Marshal Sadruddin Mohammad Hossain
(1978–1982)
Air Vice Marshal Sultan Mahmud
(1982–1987)
Air Vice Marshal Momtaz Uddin Ahmed
(1987–1991)
Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury
(4 June 1991 – 3 June 1995)
Air Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed
(3 June 1995 – 4 June 2001)
Air Vice Marshal Rafiqul Islam
(4 June 2001 – 7 April 2002)
Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam
(8 April 2002 – 7 April 2007)
Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman ndc, fawc, psc
(8 April 2007 – 12 June 2012)
Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari,BBP, ndu, psc
(13 June 2012 – present )

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chapter 6: Asia". The Military Balance (2015 ed.). International Institute for Strategic Studies. 17 February 2015. pp. 229–231. ISBN 9781857436426. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bangladesh Air Force motto in English".
  3. ↑ http://www.banglachic.com/ekattore-uttar-ronangon-p7217.html
  4. ↑ Ministry of Defense Gazette Notification No.8/25/D-1/72-1378, Dated 15 December 1973
  5. ↑ Ahmed, Capt.Akram. "YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN AKRAM".
  6. ↑ Ahmed, Capt.Shahabuddin. "YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN Shahab".
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Scramble". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "New aircraft, choppers for BAF soon". The Daily Star. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsbaf-inducts-fm-90-missile-system
  10. ↑ Wikipedia talk:Articles for creation/Recruits Training School#cite note-1
  11. ↑ "Join Bangladesh Air Force". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 11". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "BAF received first batch of K-8 trainers". BDNews24.com. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Bangladesh will get 16 combat trainers soon.". Newage.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Bangladesh Air Force ordered 2 AW-139.". Agustawestland.com.
  16. ↑ "Bangladesh Air Force to be modernised by 2021". UNB.com. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "New aircraft, choppers for BAF soon". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "Air Force to buy 4 US aircraft". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "Remain ever ready to protect sovereignty, PM asks air force". Retrieved 12 March 2015.

External links