Bangladesh has placed an order to buy 24 Russian Yak-130 light fighter jets worth $800 million, Russian news agency RIA Novosti has reported.
When contacted with the Bangladesh foreign ministry, a diplomat also confirmed that the order had been placed.
The planes are to be fitted with English-language cockpits and delivery is scheduled to begin next year.
The Yak-130 is a lightweight subsonic trainer aircraft designed to replicate the cockpit and handling capabilities of Russia’s more advanced fighters.
The plane can also be configured to carry a small payload of ground attack and air-to-air weapons.
Bangladesh signed a $1bn defence loan deal with Russia last year to buy arms from the country at a 4.5% interest rate.
Meanwhile, IHS Jane defence magazine reported that Russian arms supplier Rosoboronexport originally revealed the Yak-130 order at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition in March 2013.
“The aircraft will replace the Aero Vodochody Aerospace L-39 Albatros advanced trainer in Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) service,” it said.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, for the last 20 years Bangladesh had been maintaining 1% to 1.3% of gross domestic product as military expenditure, and a part of it was used for weapons purchase.
Bangladesh, being a $100bn economy, spent about $1.1bn last year on weapons.
Two corvettes, one survey ship, eight high-speed boats, a helicopter handling system, an early warning radar system and two marine helicopters had been added to the Bangladesh Navy’s arsenal during the last three years, according to Mid-term Budgetary Framework for 2013-14 to 2017-18.
In addition, the procurement process for purchasing the C-704 missile system, QW-2 SAM, OTOMAT MK-II missiles, two large patrol crafts, five patrol crafts and one tanker has been completed.
Bangladesh Army has also engaged in a government-to-government contract to procure armoured personnel carriers from Russia. It also procured tanks, self-propelled guns, armoured personnel carriers and other equipment under the same contract. The Army also purchased a weapon-locating radar and a Bell Helicopter during the last three years.